Osvaldo Pessoa - Academia.edu (original) (raw)
Conference Presentations by Osvaldo Pessoa
This is a study of types of causative present events in a molecular motor, which are proteins - s... more This is a study of types of causative present events in a molecular motor, which are proteins - such as myosin, kinesina and dynein - present inside the cells and associated with, among other functions, the transport of substances along microtubules rails ( Spudich, 2006). Molecular motors are essential for the whole body movement and play an important role in brain. It is known that their malfunction is associated with Alzheimer's disease (Stokin & Goldstein, 2006), and it is reasonable to assume that they are at the base of the deliberative processes of decision making.
Adopt a general perspective that can be characterized as a "methodological reductionism", to try to reduce the macroscopic causality recognized in biology the most basic causal events. A causal event is defined by the possibility of an intervention or manipulation. In a previous study, we identified three types of causal events in quantum systems (less than 0.1 nm) interacting with macroscopic measuring devices (Person, 2013).
In this study, we set aside the quantum scale and up to three orders of magnitude study the causal processes in macromolecules 50nm, immersed in an aqueous solution of the cell medium and described by classical physical chemistry. On this scale, the molecules receive the shock of a huge number of water molecules per second, which makes them around, rotating, vibrating and twisting stochastically in Brownian motion, with power of 10-8 watts order. The macromolecule relates to microtubule (in the case of kinesina and dynein) by means of two "feet", and detaches when one occurs hydrolysis of ATP molecule, a process whose full power for a macromolecule is only 10-16 watts. Even with extremely low power to the Brownian motion, the hydrolysis of ATP is essential for unidirectional movement of the protein. The molecular motor floating end along the microtubule towards the core or the core in the opposite direction. On average, however, dynein has a net shift towards the core (electrically more negative) and kinesina in the opposite direction (more positive charge). Understanding the mechanism involved is the result of research of the past 25 years, and will be presented briefly (Astumian, 2010).
Identify at least four types of causal events are present at the molecular motor movement.
(1) The Brownian motion of the macromolecule can be reduced to a set of individual collisions with water molecules, which provides power to the molecule explore the area available to it, the viscous medium. This is random mechanical causes.
(2) The molecular motor is attached to the microtubule by electrostatic attraction, with a key-lock type fitting. Such a fitting can be regarded as a causal event. If one foot is loose, it stochastically explore all its accessible region can be fixed in microtubule tens of nanometers more forward.
(3) To be able action molecular engine, it is essential frequent conversion of ATP molecule present in the aqueous solution to ADP + P, a hydrolysis process which occurs stochastically. In this chemical reaction, the release of a quantum of energy occurs, which leads to a change in the conformation of the protein molecules and release of a foot.
(4) To explain the existence of molecular motors and the efficient exercise of its biological function of transport and movement, one must take into account root causes associated with natural selection. There is actually a whole family of evolutionary lineages of molecular motors.
Books by Osvaldo Pessoa
A presente obra é marcada por um estilo de reflexão temática, que ressalta a preocupação dos auto... more A presente obra é marcada por um estilo de reflexão temática, que ressalta a preocupação dos autores com os rumos do avanço exponencial da tecnologia na vida humana. Essa preocupação está aqui delimitada aos estudos nas áreas de Filosofia da Mente, Ciência Cognitiva, Semiótica e Filosofia da Informação. Alguns dos pesquisadores dessas áreas têm verificado, com surpresa, recentes aplicações de teorias, hipóteses e conceitos desenvolvidos durante anos de pesquisa na elaboração de projetos que parecem escapar do controle de seus idealizadores. Exemplos dessa experiência surpreendente podem ser constatados nas recentes aplicações de pesquisas da Inteligência Artificial e da Ciência Cognitiva no projeto transhumanista, que visa a realização de um suposto aprimoramento da condição humana, Filosofia da Mente, Ciência Cognitiva e o pós-humano para onde vamos através de recursos da computação inteligente, da bioquímica, da nanotecnologia e da genética. No campo político e ético constatam-se aplicações bélicas, altamente polêmicas, por exemplo, como a aeronave autônoma de bombardeio Taranis.
Papers by Osvaldo Pessoa
Este é um estudo filosófico e histórico do argumento de EPR (1935), que defende que a mecânica qu... more Este é um estudo filosófico e histórico do argumento de EPR (1935), que defende que a mecânica quântica é incompleta, e tem sido alvo de intensos debates e críticas desde então. Examino a estrutura lógica do argumento, seguindo comentadores como McGrath, Chibeni e Wessels, e acompanho os primeiros debates envolvendo Einstein, Bohr, Schrödinger, Furry e Bohm. Estudando as primeiras tentativas de testar experimentalmente os chamados estados "entrelaçados", aponto para as semelhanças entre a análise feita por Bohm & Aharonov (1957) do experimento de Wu & Shaknov (1950), para a polarização de raios gama, e a desigualdade de Bell (1964). O debate sobre incompletude se transformou com o trabalho de Bell, que obteve um dilema segundo o qual deve-se abandonar ou o realismo (uma tese filosófica) ou a localidade (uma tese física), ou seja, descartar teorias realistas locais. A partir deste dilema, e de um dilema derivado do trabalho de EPR, derivo um argumento a favor da nãolocalidade independente da tese do realismo.
Caderno Brasileiro de Ensino de Física, Oct 15, 2012
Filosofia Unisinos, Mar 15, 2021
The "colored-brain thesis", or strong qualitative physicalism, is discussed from historical and p... more The "colored-brain thesis", or strong qualitative physicalism, is discussed from historical and philosophical perspectives. This thesis was proposed by Thomas Case (1888), in a non-materialistic context, and is close to views explored by H. H. Price (1932) and E. Boring (1933). Using Mary's room thought experiment, one can argue that physicalism implies qualitative physicalism. Qualitative physicalism involves three basic statements: (i) perceptual internalism, and realism of qualia; (ii) ontic physicalism, charaterized as a description in space, time, and scale; and (iii) mind-brain identity thesis. In addition, (iv) structuralism in physics, and distinguishing the present version from that suggested by H. Feigl and S. Pepper, (v) realism of the physical description. The "neurosurgeon argument" is presented, as to why the greenness of a visually perceived avocado, which (according to this view) is present in the brain as a physical-chemical attribute, would not be seen as green by a neurosurgeon who opens the observer's skull. This conception is compared with two close views, Russellian (and Schlickian) monisms and panprotopsychism (including panqualityism). According to the strong qualitative physicalism presented here, the phenomenal experience of a quale q is identical to a physico-chemical quality q, which arises from a combination of (1) the materiality ω associated with the brain, and (2) the causal organization or structure of the relevant elements of the brain ∑, including in this organization the structure of the self: (∑ω) q. The "explanatory gap" between mental and physical states is shifted to a gap between the physico-chemical qualities q and the organized materiality of a specific brain region (∑ω) q , and is seen as being bridged only by a set of non-explanatory postulates.
Acta Scientiarum. Human and Social Sciences, Dec 15, 2020
Examinam-se os estudos de Benjamin Libet e colaboradores, nas décadas de 1960-70, a respeito da p... more Examinam-se os estudos de Benjamin Libet e colaboradores, nas décadas de 1960-70, a respeito da pré-datação temporal. Após estudos de estimulação elétrica direta do córtex somatossensorial, que demora meio segundo para tornar-se consciente, Libet refinou a tese clássica do 'presente ilusório', defendendo que processos conscientes em geral demorariam em torno de meio segundo para se formar. A seguir, explorou o efeito de mascaramento realizando experimentos envolvendo estímulo sensorial (uma picada na mão) seguido pelo estímulo cortical, e por fim concluiu que ocorre uma pré-datação da experiência consciente da picada (sentida meio segundo depois) para um instante de tempo próximo daquele em que de fato ocorreu. Este resultado foi interpretado por alguns filósofos e neurocientistas como sendo um desafio para a tese da identidade mente-encéfalo, provocando uma reação de Patricia Churchland de negar a validade do experimento ou do conceito de pré-datação. Argumentamos que tal reação negativa não se justifica, e que os experimentos são consistentes com uma visão fisicista. Palavras chave: consciência; tempo psicológico; pré-datação; presente ilusório; fisicismo; identidade mente-encéfalo. Time and consciousness: the studies on antedating by Benjamin Libet ABSTRACT. The studies of Benjamin Libet et al. in the 1960s-70s regarding temporal antedating are examined. After studying the direct electrical stimulation of the somatosensory cortex, which takes half a second to become conscious, Libet refined the classic thesis of the 'specious present', arguing that conscious processes generally take around half a second to form. Next, he explored a masking effect by carrying out experiments involving a sensory stimulus (a prick in the hand) followed by cortical stimulation, concluding that there is an 'antedating' of the conscious experience of the pinch (felt half a second later) for an instant of time close to the one when it actually occurred. This result was interpreted by some philosophers and neuroscientists as being a challenge to the mind-brain identity thesis, provoking a reaction by Patricia Churchland of denying the validity of the experiment or the concept of antedating. We argue that such a negative reaction is not justified, and that the experiments are consistent with a physicalist view.
Philosophy of Science, Sep 1, 2001
This paper presents a method for investigating counterfactual histories of science. A central not... more This paper presents a method for investigating counterfactual histories of science. A central notion to our theory of science are "advances" (ideas, data, etc.), which are units passed among scientists and which would be conserved in passing from one possible history to another. Advances are connected to each other by nets of causal influence, and we distinguish strong and weak influences. Around sixty types of advances are grouped into ten classes. As our case study, we examine the beginning of the Old Quantum Theory, using a computer to store and process historical information. We describe four plausible possible histories, along with six other implausible ones.
Principia: An International Journal of Epistemology, Dec 31, 2013
This paper is the first step in an investigation of whether microscopic events can be reduced to ... more This paper is the first step in an investigation of whether microscopic events can be reduced to a mereological composition of elementary events, especially in biological systems. The hypothesis is made that, between events in which quanta are exchanged, there is causal flow, but strictly speaking no events take place. A causal event is characterized by the possibility of an intervention or manipulation. Thus, three types of quantum mechanical events may be found: (1) detection of a quantum of energy; (2) confinement by an apparatus in a Glauber coherent state; (3) null result measurement (without exchange of quanta). The paper explores these three types of elementary causal events, e sets forth as the next step the investigation of the causal events involved in the action of a molecular motor.
Studies in computational intelligence, 2010
This paper is an overview of an approach in the philosophy of science of constructing causal mode... more This paper is an overview of an approach in the philosophy of science of constructing causal models of the history of science. Units of scientific knowledge, called "advances", are taken to be related by causal connections, which are modeled in computers by probability distribution functions. Advances are taken to have varying "causal strengths" through time. The approach suggests that it would be interesting to develop a causal model for scientific reasoning. A discussion of counterfactual histories of science is made, with a classification of three types of counterfactual analyses: (i) in economic and technologic history, (ii) in the history of science and mathematics, and (iii) in social history and evolutionary biology. 1 The Model: Advances Connected by Causal Relations This paper is part of a project of developing a computational model that describes the history of science. Such a representation stays close to the narrative of the historian of science, who writes about ideas, discoveries, instruments, theories, etc., each of which exerts influences, in differing degrees, on the appearance and confirmation of other scientific advances. These units of scientific knowledge, which are explicitly or tacitly passed among scientists, will be called advances (even though they might not be a positive contribution to the progress of science). The prototype of an advance is an idea, but there are other types of theoretical advances, such as explanations, laws, problems, theory development, as well as experimental advances, such as data, experiments, and instruments. Other advances include the comparison
Open Philosophy, Dec 13, 2019
An extended definition of "observation" is developed in order to account for the usage in the phy... more An extended definition of "observation" is developed in order to account for the usage in the physical sciences and in neuropsychology. An observation is initially defined as a perception that has a focus of attention and is guided by theoretical considerations. Since the focus may change, one adopts a pluralist position according to which the object of perception may involve any stage of the causal chain that leads to perception, such as the source of light or sound, the obstructions, the medium or even the receptor. The "neutral" observations of the empiricists are seen as involving only low-level or mediumlevel theorization. Examples are examined, such as a lunar eclipse, the rainbow, and observations mediated by instruments, whose "artifacts" are considered observations of the instrument itself. One also defines null-effect observations. Observations of photographs and drawings may be considered either the observation of a printed sheet of paper or the observation of the pictured object or people. This causal-pluralist metatheory of observation also accepts that one may "observe light", observe the retina, and observe parts of the brain which are outside the region of the "sensorium". Illusions and hallucinations are analyzed within this "observational materialism", which considers that qualia are self-observations of the brain. Criticisms that the approach is too wide in scope are analyzed in the conclusion.
Cambridge University Press eBooks, Sep 5, 2016
Cadernos de história da ciência, Dec 31, 2006
Foundations of Physics Letters, Oct 1, 1994
This paper discusses the approach to the analysis of measurements in quantum mechanics which is b... more This paper discusses the approach to the analysis of measurements in quantum mechanics which is based on a set of "detection operators" forming a resolution of identity. The expectation value of each of these operators furnishes the counting rate at a detector for any object state that is prepared. "Predictable measurements" are those for which there is a representation in which only one element of each diagonal matrix representing each operator is not zero. A set of commuting detection operators defines the class of "spectral measurements", which may be either predictable or not. An even more general definition of measurement may be given by abandoning the requirement of commutativity of the detection operators. In this case one cannot define an observable which corresponds to a single self-adjoint operator, which violates the standard theory of quantum mechanical measurement. Simple experimental realizations of each of these classes of measurement are suggested.
Logic Journal of the IGPL, 2005
Towards a Modal Logical Treatment of Quantum Physics OSVALDO PESSOA JR., Depto. de Filosofia, FFL... more Towards a Modal Logical Treatment of Quantum Physics OSVALDO PESSOA JR., Depto. de Filosofia, FFLCH, Universidade de São Paulo Av. Prof. ... O Conhecimento Cientéifico. Discurso Editorial' S ao Paulo' 1997. [4] M. Dickson. The modal interpretations of ,uantum theory. ...
Physics Essays, Mar 1, 2000
When asking whether consciousness is an "essentially quantum effect", one must first lay down cri... more When asking whether consciousness is an "essentially quantum effect", one must first lay down criteria for considering an effect quantum mechanical. After a brief survey of the interpretations of quantum theory, three such sufficient criteria are proposed and examined: wave-particle duality (or collapse), entanglement ("non-locality"), and quantum condensation (involving "identical" particles). A fourth criteria could involve the use of quantum field theories, but this problem is left open. If a quantum effect played an essential role in the brain, it would probably follow the first criterion, since the entanglement of many particles would be rapidly washed out by decoherence, and there is no strong evidence for the existence of biological condensates.
DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals), Dec 1, 2006
The aim of this paper is to investigate the ascription of probabilities in a causal model of an e... more The aim of this paper is to investigate the ascription of probabilities in a causal model of an episode in the history of science. The aim of such a quantitative approach is to allow the implementation of the causal model in a computer, to run simulations. As an example, we look at the beginning of the science of magnetism, "explaining"-in a probabilistic way, in terms of a single causal model-why the field advanced in China but not in Europe (the difference is due to different prior probabilities of certain cultural manifestations). Given the number of years between the occurrences of two causally connected advances X and Y, one proposes a criterion for stipulating the value p Y/X of the conditional probability of an advance Y occurring, given X. Next, one must assume a specific form for the cumulative probability function p Y/X (t), which we take to be the time integral of an exponential distribution function, as is done in physics of radioactive decay. Rules for calculating the cumulative functions for more than two events are mentioned, involving composition, disjunction and conjunction of causes. We also consider the problems involved in supposing that the appearance of events in time follows an exponential distribution, which are a consequence of the fact that a composition of causes does not follow an exponential distribution, but a "hypoexponential" one. We suggest that a gamma distribution function might more adequately represent the appearance of advances.
This is a study of types of causative present events in a molecular motor, which are proteins - s... more This is a study of types of causative present events in a molecular motor, which are proteins - such as myosin, kinesina and dynein - present inside the cells and associated with, among other functions, the transport of substances along microtubules rails ( Spudich, 2006). Molecular motors are essential for the whole body movement and play an important role in brain. It is known that their malfunction is associated with Alzheimer's disease (Stokin & Goldstein, 2006), and it is reasonable to assume that they are at the base of the deliberative processes of decision making.
Adopt a general perspective that can be characterized as a "methodological reductionism", to try to reduce the macroscopic causality recognized in biology the most basic causal events. A causal event is defined by the possibility of an intervention or manipulation. In a previous study, we identified three types of causal events in quantum systems (less than 0.1 nm) interacting with macroscopic measuring devices (Person, 2013).
In this study, we set aside the quantum scale and up to three orders of magnitude study the causal processes in macromolecules 50nm, immersed in an aqueous solution of the cell medium and described by classical physical chemistry. On this scale, the molecules receive the shock of a huge number of water molecules per second, which makes them around, rotating, vibrating and twisting stochastically in Brownian motion, with power of 10-8 watts order. The macromolecule relates to microtubule (in the case of kinesina and dynein) by means of two "feet", and detaches when one occurs hydrolysis of ATP molecule, a process whose full power for a macromolecule is only 10-16 watts. Even with extremely low power to the Brownian motion, the hydrolysis of ATP is essential for unidirectional movement of the protein. The molecular motor floating end along the microtubule towards the core or the core in the opposite direction. On average, however, dynein has a net shift towards the core (electrically more negative) and kinesina in the opposite direction (more positive charge). Understanding the mechanism involved is the result of research of the past 25 years, and will be presented briefly (Astumian, 2010).
Identify at least four types of causal events are present at the molecular motor movement.
(1) The Brownian motion of the macromolecule can be reduced to a set of individual collisions with water molecules, which provides power to the molecule explore the area available to it, the viscous medium. This is random mechanical causes.
(2) The molecular motor is attached to the microtubule by electrostatic attraction, with a key-lock type fitting. Such a fitting can be regarded as a causal event. If one foot is loose, it stochastically explore all its accessible region can be fixed in microtubule tens of nanometers more forward.
(3) To be able action molecular engine, it is essential frequent conversion of ATP molecule present in the aqueous solution to ADP + P, a hydrolysis process which occurs stochastically. In this chemical reaction, the release of a quantum of energy occurs, which leads to a change in the conformation of the protein molecules and release of a foot.
(4) To explain the existence of molecular motors and the efficient exercise of its biological function of transport and movement, one must take into account root causes associated with natural selection. There is actually a whole family of evolutionary lineages of molecular motors.
A presente obra é marcada por um estilo de reflexão temática, que ressalta a preocupação dos auto... more A presente obra é marcada por um estilo de reflexão temática, que ressalta a preocupação dos autores com os rumos do avanço exponencial da tecnologia na vida humana. Essa preocupação está aqui delimitada aos estudos nas áreas de Filosofia da Mente, Ciência Cognitiva, Semiótica e Filosofia da Informação. Alguns dos pesquisadores dessas áreas têm verificado, com surpresa, recentes aplicações de teorias, hipóteses e conceitos desenvolvidos durante anos de pesquisa na elaboração de projetos que parecem escapar do controle de seus idealizadores. Exemplos dessa experiência surpreendente podem ser constatados nas recentes aplicações de pesquisas da Inteligência Artificial e da Ciência Cognitiva no projeto transhumanista, que visa a realização de um suposto aprimoramento da condição humana, Filosofia da Mente, Ciência Cognitiva e o pós-humano para onde vamos através de recursos da computação inteligente, da bioquímica, da nanotecnologia e da genética. No campo político e ético constatam-se aplicações bélicas, altamente polêmicas, por exemplo, como a aeronave autônoma de bombardeio Taranis.
Este é um estudo filosófico e histórico do argumento de EPR (1935), que defende que a mecânica qu... more Este é um estudo filosófico e histórico do argumento de EPR (1935), que defende que a mecânica quântica é incompleta, e tem sido alvo de intensos debates e críticas desde então. Examino a estrutura lógica do argumento, seguindo comentadores como McGrath, Chibeni e Wessels, e acompanho os primeiros debates envolvendo Einstein, Bohr, Schrödinger, Furry e Bohm. Estudando as primeiras tentativas de testar experimentalmente os chamados estados "entrelaçados", aponto para as semelhanças entre a análise feita por Bohm & Aharonov (1957) do experimento de Wu & Shaknov (1950), para a polarização de raios gama, e a desigualdade de Bell (1964). O debate sobre incompletude se transformou com o trabalho de Bell, que obteve um dilema segundo o qual deve-se abandonar ou o realismo (uma tese filosófica) ou a localidade (uma tese física), ou seja, descartar teorias realistas locais. A partir deste dilema, e de um dilema derivado do trabalho de EPR, derivo um argumento a favor da nãolocalidade independente da tese do realismo.
Caderno Brasileiro de Ensino de Física, Oct 15, 2012
Filosofia Unisinos, Mar 15, 2021
The "colored-brain thesis", or strong qualitative physicalism, is discussed from historical and p... more The "colored-brain thesis", or strong qualitative physicalism, is discussed from historical and philosophical perspectives. This thesis was proposed by Thomas Case (1888), in a non-materialistic context, and is close to views explored by H. H. Price (1932) and E. Boring (1933). Using Mary's room thought experiment, one can argue that physicalism implies qualitative physicalism. Qualitative physicalism involves three basic statements: (i) perceptual internalism, and realism of qualia; (ii) ontic physicalism, charaterized as a description in space, time, and scale; and (iii) mind-brain identity thesis. In addition, (iv) structuralism in physics, and distinguishing the present version from that suggested by H. Feigl and S. Pepper, (v) realism of the physical description. The "neurosurgeon argument" is presented, as to why the greenness of a visually perceived avocado, which (according to this view) is present in the brain as a physical-chemical attribute, would not be seen as green by a neurosurgeon who opens the observer's skull. This conception is compared with two close views, Russellian (and Schlickian) monisms and panprotopsychism (including panqualityism). According to the strong qualitative physicalism presented here, the phenomenal experience of a quale q is identical to a physico-chemical quality q, which arises from a combination of (1) the materiality ω associated with the brain, and (2) the causal organization or structure of the relevant elements of the brain ∑, including in this organization the structure of the self: (∑ω) q. The "explanatory gap" between mental and physical states is shifted to a gap between the physico-chemical qualities q and the organized materiality of a specific brain region (∑ω) q , and is seen as being bridged only by a set of non-explanatory postulates.
Acta Scientiarum. Human and Social Sciences, Dec 15, 2020
Examinam-se os estudos de Benjamin Libet e colaboradores, nas décadas de 1960-70, a respeito da p... more Examinam-se os estudos de Benjamin Libet e colaboradores, nas décadas de 1960-70, a respeito da pré-datação temporal. Após estudos de estimulação elétrica direta do córtex somatossensorial, que demora meio segundo para tornar-se consciente, Libet refinou a tese clássica do 'presente ilusório', defendendo que processos conscientes em geral demorariam em torno de meio segundo para se formar. A seguir, explorou o efeito de mascaramento realizando experimentos envolvendo estímulo sensorial (uma picada na mão) seguido pelo estímulo cortical, e por fim concluiu que ocorre uma pré-datação da experiência consciente da picada (sentida meio segundo depois) para um instante de tempo próximo daquele em que de fato ocorreu. Este resultado foi interpretado por alguns filósofos e neurocientistas como sendo um desafio para a tese da identidade mente-encéfalo, provocando uma reação de Patricia Churchland de negar a validade do experimento ou do conceito de pré-datação. Argumentamos que tal reação negativa não se justifica, e que os experimentos são consistentes com uma visão fisicista. Palavras chave: consciência; tempo psicológico; pré-datação; presente ilusório; fisicismo; identidade mente-encéfalo. Time and consciousness: the studies on antedating by Benjamin Libet ABSTRACT. The studies of Benjamin Libet et al. in the 1960s-70s regarding temporal antedating are examined. After studying the direct electrical stimulation of the somatosensory cortex, which takes half a second to become conscious, Libet refined the classic thesis of the 'specious present', arguing that conscious processes generally take around half a second to form. Next, he explored a masking effect by carrying out experiments involving a sensory stimulus (a prick in the hand) followed by cortical stimulation, concluding that there is an 'antedating' of the conscious experience of the pinch (felt half a second later) for an instant of time close to the one when it actually occurred. This result was interpreted by some philosophers and neuroscientists as being a challenge to the mind-brain identity thesis, provoking a reaction by Patricia Churchland of denying the validity of the experiment or the concept of antedating. We argue that such a negative reaction is not justified, and that the experiments are consistent with a physicalist view.
Philosophy of Science, Sep 1, 2001
This paper presents a method for investigating counterfactual histories of science. A central not... more This paper presents a method for investigating counterfactual histories of science. A central notion to our theory of science are "advances" (ideas, data, etc.), which are units passed among scientists and which would be conserved in passing from one possible history to another. Advances are connected to each other by nets of causal influence, and we distinguish strong and weak influences. Around sixty types of advances are grouped into ten classes. As our case study, we examine the beginning of the Old Quantum Theory, using a computer to store and process historical information. We describe four plausible possible histories, along with six other implausible ones.
Principia: An International Journal of Epistemology, Dec 31, 2013
This paper is the first step in an investigation of whether microscopic events can be reduced to ... more This paper is the first step in an investigation of whether microscopic events can be reduced to a mereological composition of elementary events, especially in biological systems. The hypothesis is made that, between events in which quanta are exchanged, there is causal flow, but strictly speaking no events take place. A causal event is characterized by the possibility of an intervention or manipulation. Thus, three types of quantum mechanical events may be found: (1) detection of a quantum of energy; (2) confinement by an apparatus in a Glauber coherent state; (3) null result measurement (without exchange of quanta). The paper explores these three types of elementary causal events, e sets forth as the next step the investigation of the causal events involved in the action of a molecular motor.
Studies in computational intelligence, 2010
This paper is an overview of an approach in the philosophy of science of constructing causal mode... more This paper is an overview of an approach in the philosophy of science of constructing causal models of the history of science. Units of scientific knowledge, called "advances", are taken to be related by causal connections, which are modeled in computers by probability distribution functions. Advances are taken to have varying "causal strengths" through time. The approach suggests that it would be interesting to develop a causal model for scientific reasoning. A discussion of counterfactual histories of science is made, with a classification of three types of counterfactual analyses: (i) in economic and technologic history, (ii) in the history of science and mathematics, and (iii) in social history and evolutionary biology. 1 The Model: Advances Connected by Causal Relations This paper is part of a project of developing a computational model that describes the history of science. Such a representation stays close to the narrative of the historian of science, who writes about ideas, discoveries, instruments, theories, etc., each of which exerts influences, in differing degrees, on the appearance and confirmation of other scientific advances. These units of scientific knowledge, which are explicitly or tacitly passed among scientists, will be called advances (even though they might not be a positive contribution to the progress of science). The prototype of an advance is an idea, but there are other types of theoretical advances, such as explanations, laws, problems, theory development, as well as experimental advances, such as data, experiments, and instruments. Other advances include the comparison
Open Philosophy, Dec 13, 2019
An extended definition of "observation" is developed in order to account for the usage in the phy... more An extended definition of "observation" is developed in order to account for the usage in the physical sciences and in neuropsychology. An observation is initially defined as a perception that has a focus of attention and is guided by theoretical considerations. Since the focus may change, one adopts a pluralist position according to which the object of perception may involve any stage of the causal chain that leads to perception, such as the source of light or sound, the obstructions, the medium or even the receptor. The "neutral" observations of the empiricists are seen as involving only low-level or mediumlevel theorization. Examples are examined, such as a lunar eclipse, the rainbow, and observations mediated by instruments, whose "artifacts" are considered observations of the instrument itself. One also defines null-effect observations. Observations of photographs and drawings may be considered either the observation of a printed sheet of paper or the observation of the pictured object or people. This causal-pluralist metatheory of observation also accepts that one may "observe light", observe the retina, and observe parts of the brain which are outside the region of the "sensorium". Illusions and hallucinations are analyzed within this "observational materialism", which considers that qualia are self-observations of the brain. Criticisms that the approach is too wide in scope are analyzed in the conclusion.
Cambridge University Press eBooks, Sep 5, 2016
Cadernos de história da ciência, Dec 31, 2006
Foundations of Physics Letters, Oct 1, 1994
This paper discusses the approach to the analysis of measurements in quantum mechanics which is b... more This paper discusses the approach to the analysis of measurements in quantum mechanics which is based on a set of "detection operators" forming a resolution of identity. The expectation value of each of these operators furnishes the counting rate at a detector for any object state that is prepared. "Predictable measurements" are those for which there is a representation in which only one element of each diagonal matrix representing each operator is not zero. A set of commuting detection operators defines the class of "spectral measurements", which may be either predictable or not. An even more general definition of measurement may be given by abandoning the requirement of commutativity of the detection operators. In this case one cannot define an observable which corresponds to a single self-adjoint operator, which violates the standard theory of quantum mechanical measurement. Simple experimental realizations of each of these classes of measurement are suggested.
Logic Journal of the IGPL, 2005
Towards a Modal Logical Treatment of Quantum Physics OSVALDO PESSOA JR., Depto. de Filosofia, FFL... more Towards a Modal Logical Treatment of Quantum Physics OSVALDO PESSOA JR., Depto. de Filosofia, FFLCH, Universidade de São Paulo Av. Prof. ... O Conhecimento Cientéifico. Discurso Editorial' S ao Paulo' 1997. [4] M. Dickson. The modal interpretations of ,uantum theory. ...
Physics Essays, Mar 1, 2000
When asking whether consciousness is an "essentially quantum effect", one must first lay down cri... more When asking whether consciousness is an "essentially quantum effect", one must first lay down criteria for considering an effect quantum mechanical. After a brief survey of the interpretations of quantum theory, three such sufficient criteria are proposed and examined: wave-particle duality (or collapse), entanglement ("non-locality"), and quantum condensation (involving "identical" particles). A fourth criteria could involve the use of quantum field theories, but this problem is left open. If a quantum effect played an essential role in the brain, it would probably follow the first criterion, since the entanglement of many particles would be rapidly washed out by decoherence, and there is no strong evidence for the existence of biological condensates.
DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals), Dec 1, 2006
The aim of this paper is to investigate the ascription of probabilities in a causal model of an e... more The aim of this paper is to investigate the ascription of probabilities in a causal model of an episode in the history of science. The aim of such a quantitative approach is to allow the implementation of the causal model in a computer, to run simulations. As an example, we look at the beginning of the science of magnetism, "explaining"-in a probabilistic way, in terms of a single causal model-why the field advanced in China but not in Europe (the difference is due to different prior probabilities of certain cultural manifestations). Given the number of years between the occurrences of two causally connected advances X and Y, one proposes a criterion for stipulating the value p Y/X of the conditional probability of an advance Y occurring, given X. Next, one must assume a specific form for the cumulative probability function p Y/X (t), which we take to be the time integral of an exponential distribution function, as is done in physics of radioactive decay. Rules for calculating the cumulative functions for more than two events are mentioned, involving composition, disjunction and conjunction of causes. We also consider the problems involved in supposing that the appearance of events in time follows an exponential distribution, which are a consequence of the fact that a composition of causes does not follow an exponential distribution, but a "hypoexponential" one. We suggest that a gamma distribution function might more adequately represent the appearance of advances.
This book consists of an edited collection of original essays of the highest academic quality by ... more This book consists of an edited collection of original essays of the highest academic quality by seasoned experts in their fields of cognitive science. The essays are interdisciplinary, drawing from many of the fields known collectively as “the cognitive sciences.” Topics discussed represent a significant cross-section of the most current and interesting issues in cognitive science. Specific topics include matters regarding machine learning and cognitive architecture, the nature of cognitive content, the relationship of information to cognition, the role of language and communication in cognition, the nature of embodied cognition, selective topics in visual cognition, brain connectivity, computation and simulation, social and technological issues within the cognitive sciences, and significant issues in the history of neuroscience. This book will be of interest to both professional researchers and newer students and graduate students in the fields of cognitive science—including computer science, linguistics, philosophy, psychology and neuroscience. The essays are in English and are designed to be as free as possible of technical jargon and therefore accessible to young scholars and to scholars who are new to the cognitive neurosciences. In addition to several entries by single authors, the book contains several interesting roundtables where researchers contribute answers to a central question presented to those in the focus group on one of the core areas listed above. This exciting approach provides a variety of perspectives from across disciplines on topics of current concern in the cognitive sciences.
Prometeica, Feb 1, 2011
Resumen Definimos un "escenario contrafáctico", esto es, una situación posible que no se realizó,... more Resumen Definimos un "escenario contrafáctico", esto es, una situación posible que no se realizó, como una posibilidad futura en algún instante del pasado. El ejemplo más consagrado de análisis contrafáctico viene del área de la historia económica, donde se pueden hacer previsiones cuantitativas sobre el futuro. Esta posibilidad, aliada a la evaluación retrospectiva, dan un buen grado de confianza a este análisis. Otra área en la que se pueden postular escenarios contrafácticos es la historia de la ciencia. Lo que permite eso, no es la previsión del futuro sino, la ventaja retrospectiva de saber hoy de cuáles descubrimientos estaban próximos los científicos del pasado. Para eso, se presupone la objetividad de las ciencias naturales. Un tercer tipo de análisis contrafáctico reúne a la historia virtual, la evolución biológica y el desarrollo de juegos. Al final, utilizamos nuestra definición de escenario contrafáctico para explorar la cuestión de la identidad personal y los individuos transmundiales. Palabras clave: Contrafácticos. Mundos posibles. Historia económica. Historia de la ciencia. Historia virtual. Identidad personal. Individuos transmundiales.