Cooperative Functioning of Unconscious and Consciousness From Theory of Open Quantum Systems

Abstract

We present the mathematical model of cooperative functioning of unconscious and consciousness. The model is based on the theory of open quantum systems. Unconscious and consciousness are treated as bio-information systems. The latter plays the role a measurement apparatus for the former. States of both systems are represented in Hilbert spaces. Consciousness performs measurements on the states which are generated in unconscious. This process of unconscious-conscious interaction is described by the scheme of indirect measurements. This scheme is widely used in quantum information theory and it leads to the theory of quantum instruments (Davis-Lewis-Ozawa). Our approach is known as quantum-like modeling. It should be sharply distinguished from modeling of genuine quantum physical processes in biosystems, in particular, in the brain. In the quantum-like framework, the brain is a black box processing information in the accordance with the laws of quantum theory. During the last 10-15 years this framework has been actively used in cognition, psychology, decision making, social and political sciences. The quantum-like scheme of unconscious-consciousness functioning has already been explored for sensation-perception modeling.

On “Decisions and Revisions Which a Minute Will Reverse”: Consciousness, The Unconscious and Mathematical Modeling of Thinking

“…Pointer reading can be treated as generation of a perception, a high mental level perception. [34] (p. 8) It follows that: (a) as an outcome of measurement, conscious thinking or, in my preferred terms, representation is classical in nature; and, at least by implication, (b) each instance of thinking, registered by consciousness is unique and is discrete in relation to any other, thus, on both counts, in accord with a view, defined by the QI and QD postulates, adopted in this article. (U(t) = e −i∆tH is the "decision time" and it is random, which makes the impression of free will, a subject, again, put aside here, beyond the limited considerations given above.…”

“…I shall not, however, exclude the possibility that Khrennikov leaves this aspect of the situation open, and shall indicate why he might do so as I proceed. Either way, Khrennikov sees decision making or, it appears, any given instance of conscious thinking, thus seen as a decision, in terms of consciousness (C) making a measurement on the unconscious (UC) [34,51]. Khrennikov does not distinguish experience and representation in the way I do in affinity with D'Ariano and Faggin's view.…”

“…The brain does, however, appear a bit later-"the dull brain", which aims but cannot stop poetic thought, as it flies toward the nightingale, "on the viewless wings of Poesy,/Though the dull brain perplexes and retards" (ll. [33][34]. In addition to their poetic quality, these lines, as much of Keats's poetry, are also a remarkable description of the complexity of human thought (both memory and imagination) and decisions, conscious and unconscious, our thinking makes, or wants to make, can make, cannot make and so forth.…”

“…In realist schemes, such as that of M. Ozawa, the evolution of the QO + QI, the unitary evolution operator, U(t) = e −i∆tH , where H = H QO + H QI + H QOQI is the Hamiltonian representing the internal behavior of the subsystems involved and H QOQI the interaction between them. As will be seen, Khrennikov uses this scheme in considering the interaction between the unconscious and consciousness, assumed to measure the unconscious [34], which is the main reasons why I refer to Ozawa's works, as opposed to similar earlier formalizations of quantum measurements, such as by G. Ludwig [35] and P. Mittelstaedt [36]. In Bohr's and the present view, as strong RWR views, no element of the formalism ever represents the ultimate reality, including that of the interaction between QO and QI, responsible for the effects observed.…”

“…One can plan a trajectory ahead, but because nice buildings on other streets one passes by, or for no apparent outside reasons, one changes one's actual route, makes new plans, etc., sometimes consciously, sometimes unconsciously. It is possible, as Khrennikov contends, that the unconscious makes all such decisions first and then transmits them, in a manner of quantum measurement to consciousness, but consciousness could also make such decision on its own accord [34].…”