Quantum Entanglement Explained

A nice video.  I've read about quantum decoherence and entanglement several times, but seeing it animated helped.  At least for me. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1zD1U1sIPQ4 Confused by how particles can be in two places at once? Wondering how particles can instantly communicate with each other no matter what the distance? Quantum physics is a field of study that … Continue reading Quantum Entanglement Explained

Time to ditch falsifiability?

Related to my last two posts, and our discussion, Sean Carroll turned in an answer to the "What Scientific Ideas Are Ready for Retirement?"  His answer?  Falsifiability. Modern physics stretches into realms far removed from everyday experience, and sometimes the connection to experiment becomes tenuous at best. String theory and other approaches to quantum gravity … Continue reading Time to ditch falsifiability?

Determinism isn’t as certain as many assume

Conversation on yesterday's post on free will has me thinking about determinism. First, what is determinism?  According to Merriam-Webster, my favorite dictionary because they seem to be extremely good at cutting to the chase, determinism is defined as: a theory or doctrine that acts of the will, occurrences in nature, or social or psychological phenomena … Continue reading Determinism isn’t as certain as many assume

Quantum Theory Won’t Save The Soul – Neuroskeptic | DiscoverMagazine.com

Could quantum mechanics save the soul? In the light of 20th century physics, is free will plausible? Such as been the hope of some philosophers, scientists (and pretenders to those titles) – but neuroscientist Peter Clarke argues that it’s just not happening, in an interesting new paper: Neuroscience, quantum indeterminism and the Cartesian soul via … Continue reading Quantum Theory Won’t Save The Soul – Neuroskeptic | DiscoverMagazine.com

The mind is the brain, and why that’s good

Mind body dualism is the theory that mind and matter are separate substances.  It's an ancient theory discussed in various forms by philosophers such as Plato and Aristotle, and theologians such as Thomas Aquinas.  In 1641, Rene Descartes put forth his views, usually referred to as Cartesian dualism which laid important foundations for modern philosophy in … Continue reading The mind is the brain, and why that’s good