Anastopoulos, Charis (2020) Mind-body interaction and modern physics. [Preprint]

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Abstract

The idea that mind and body are distinct entities that interact is often claimed to be incompatible with physics. The aim of this paper is to disprove this claim. To this end, we construct a broad mathematical framework that describes theories with mind-body interaction (MBI) as an extension of current physical theories. We employ histories theory, i.e., a formulation of physical theories in which a physical system is described in terms of (i) a set of propositions about possible evolutions of the system and (ii) a probability assignment to such propositions. The notion of dynamics is incorporated into the probability rule. As this formulation emphasises logical and probabilistic concepts, it is ontologically neutral. It can be used to describe mental `degrees of freedom' in addition to physical ones. This results into a mathematical framework for psycho-physical interaction (ΨΦI formalism). Interestingly, a class of ΨΦI theories turns out to be compatible with energy conservation.

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Item Type:	Preprint
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID Anastopoulos, Charis anastop@upatras.gr 0000-0001-7307-5175
Keywords:	mind-body interaction, quantum theory, probabilities
Subjects:	Specific Sciences > Cognitive Science > Consciousness Specific Sciences > Physics Specific Sciences > Probability/Statistics Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Mechanics
Depositing User:	Dr Charis Anastopoulos
Date Deposited:	14 Mar 2020 22:44
Last Modified:	14 Mar 2020 22:44
Item ID:	16995
Subjects:	Specific Sciences > Cognitive Science > Consciousness Specific Sciences > Physics Specific Sciences > Probability/Statistics Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Mechanics
Date:	13 February 2020
URI:	https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/16995

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• Mind-body interaction and modern physics. (deposited 14 Mar 2020 22:44) [Currently Displayed]
  • Mind-body interaction and modern physics. (deposited 31 Mar 2021 14:39)

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