Philosophy Now Forum

I was reading a piece on the way plants us quantum physics to get there energy from sun light.so quantum physics is incorperated in a natrural way in biology.this could be a clue in the evolution jump to consciouse life.the nonlocal part of the quantum world being the key.is this how the brain stated out.from little acorns brains do grow.

jackles wrote:I was reading a piece on the way plants us quantum physics to get there energy from sun light.so quantum physics is incorperated in a natrural way in biology.this could be a clue in the evolution jump to consciouse life.the nonlocal part of the quantum world being the key.is this how the brain stated out.from little acorns brains do grow.

Yes, Stewart Hameroff thinks so. Hameroff argues that all living cells carry out quantum functions and he provided us with a scientific explanation as to how and why this is possible. His theory was taken seriously enough for a group of Australian physicists to band together and publish a paper to discredit his findings. Basically, they were saying that, ''...a natural way in biology" was unsuitable for delicate quantum computations to take place in the cell. This forced Hameroff to rethink this theory in light of the negative reports. I think he has come up with a modified alternative. He still claims the theory is still very much alive.

Given the theory is still a goer I think it is logical to assert that quantum computations do not take place only at the local level only. So I agree with you when you say the clue is in the non-local computations. I also think that it makes just as much sense to say the quantum world also must have a non-local part to play as well. So in other words, I see this as a two way street. I think I pretty much argued for this position in previous posts, but in a different thread.

When the Dawkins asks the question, "Does evolution come about with the use of a skyhook or a crane" he knows the answer. For him evolution is built from the ground up. Opposed to this idea are the intelligent design theorists who want says it works from the top down. Given what we have just discussed in relation to a two way street then the answer is more likely to be both a crane and a skyhook working together in some way.

I think it is important to point out that it would be correct to say that my efforts here do not (as far as I know) reflect Hameroff's position on this. I am not sure if he even has a position on this.

Anyway, to address your final question I would say, yes The oak tree carries out quantum computations through its microtubules in a fashion that might be considered somewhat similar to the microtubules in the human brain.

Yes quantum nonlocality and consciousness are intertwined.not just in humans but through out d.n.a.so there is a common consciousness .humans natrualy are aware of the importants of different life forms. A cow or a monkey are higher life forms than an ant for example.the difference is in our awareness by nature.the meaning of a monkey is more valuable in terms of its consciousness.and we know it as humans because we share the same awareness with the monkey.