The current chapter is a continuation of the previous chapter, since it explores more general principles which provides the basis of quantum-like reality proposal. We argue in this book that the contextuality principle, which is becoming revealed as a central principle of quantum mechanics and quantum information theory, is also a central principle for cognitive and social decision-making domains. Recently, multiple general logico-philosophical frameworks have been proposed to describe contextuality in general, and the current chapter is in the same direction.
The current chapter is a continuation of the previous chapter, since it explores more general principles which provides the basis of quantum-like reality proposal. We argue in this book that the contextuality principle, which is becoming revealed as a central principle of quantum mechanics and quantum information theory, is also a central principle for cognitive and social decision-making domains. Recently, multiple general logico-philosophical frameworks have been proposed to describe contextuality in general, and the current chapter is in the same direction.
We have referred to general organising principles of quantum mechanics (QM) in the previous chapter, which can be extended (as principles) to several other domains. Among such principles, contextuality-complementarity is perhaps most important in its applicability to different domains of reality. There is a consensus now ( Khrennikov, 2022 ) that these principles emerged through the original works of N. Bohr. Khrennikov (2025) has produced a seminal work in which contextuality becomes the basis of reformulation of QM, and even non-locality, which is argued to be a central feature in the orthodox QM interpretation (rather than the Copenhagen(ish) approaches), can also be reformulated in terms of local contextuality. We will hold a different approach to non-locality later in the chapter, which builds upon our earlier works ( Nadeau and Kafatos, 2001 ). We also mention here that some authors ( Plotnitsky, 2022 ) have attempted to formulate a ‘reality without realism’ view based on Bohr’s original insights. In this chapter, we provide a more detailed view of Copenhagen(ish) approaches to contextuality-complementarity. Since we think that a quantum-like framework (QLF) is also related to such approaches, contextuality-complementarity in QLF can also be formulated in the same line.
The current chapter explores philosophical and mathematically inspired concepts of quantum cognition paradigm. Quantum cognition is an interdisciplinary domain of overlaps between quantum foundations or quantum information theory concepts and cognitive decision-making processes. The chapter explores frontier works which demonstrate that various quantum-like concepts can describe, explain and even predict human cognitive phenomena better than the standard cognitive science models. Again, no reductionism is implied, or we necessarily do not hold that mind is quantum physical for sure.
Our central proposal in the book is that general quantum-like principles guide life in totality. By totality, we mean both physical and psychological lives. Our philosophical stance is inclined towards dual-aspect monism, with a psycho-physical neutral reality underlying. However, we observe that such reality cannot be directly represented, or even conceived; only its contextual aspects can be observed. Also, the relation between such contextual aspects (simply put, mind and body) can be complex and multi-layered. We also maintain that quantum-like principles need to be conceived in the atmosphere of complex adaptive systems (CAS), and we turn to this open area of study in the sections below. We observe that in the last decade, there has been a surge of interest in quantum-like framework (QLF) in domains of political science, particularly in international relations (Der Derian and Wendt, 2020 , 2022 ). Scholars observe that Newtonian realism has to be overcome in the social sciences. It is surprising that multiple social sciences, particularly economics, are still visibly influenced by neoclassical realism, where the latter can almost be conceived as applied classical physics. The history of such a neoclassical approach to economic science is complex. Even though Newtonian-Hamiltonian formalism has always influenced equilibrium modelling in economics, some early founders of microeconomics, for example Alfred Marshall ( Cory Jr, 2022 ), thought that biology should be the central motivation for understanding economic life. We have already discussed the bio-cosmology view, which challenges the ergodic hypothesis of classical thermodynamics. In economics, 1 we find many features which are quantum-like and complex-adaptive.
Is mind quantum-like? Is consciousness quantum physical? Does consciousness have a role to play in the emergence of the classical world from the underlying quantum universe? Or is this dichotomy between classical and quantum an illusion? How can world philosophies enrich our views on these matters and interact with the best scientific theories? These are some questions that motivated us to conceive the current book. We also felt an urgent need to discuss the central philosophical questions haunting the emerging frameworks of quantum cognition and quantum-like framework (QLF). We have observed that there are very good technical or mathematical works being done in the emerging fields of quantum cognition and QLF, but there is still a great need for exploring the underlying and open philosophical questions they demand. Quantum cognition developed as a frontier research programme in understanding various cognitive phenomena that are hard or impossible to describe based on classical cognitive science paradigm. Classical cognitive science draws philosophically and mathematically from classical physics and classical probability theory. For example, cognitive realism thinking is deeply motivated by the scientific realism of classical physics. However, as we explore, there are numerous empirical findings which demonstrate clearly that human mind and cognitive processes exhibit features that are more quantum-like. Central to these features are indeterminacy, context dependence, and complementarity of cognitive phenomena, for example, perception, information retrieval, and even qualia. Many good works in the previous decade have demonstrated the efficacy of quantum-like mathematical modelling in such cases. However, given that efficacy, we cannot simply conclude that mind is quantum. Rather there are features that go beyond what is allowed in standard quantum formalism.
This is a unique text that explores quantum-like modelling frameworks that connect quantum mechanics with cognitive science and consciousness studies to propose a new ontological framework that transcends traditional boundaries between physics, philosophy, and cognitive science. The book develops along two complementary paths. First, it explores quantum-like modelling, an exciting emerging field where researchers apply logical and mathematical structures from quantum mechanics and information theory to cognitive modelling and decision science. Second, it investigates the profound links between quantum science and consciousness studies, incorporating insights from advanced mathematical frameworks such as category theory. By synthesizing these two approaches, the authors propose a novel framework termed 'quantum-like reality' that moves beyond pragmatic modelling to offer deeper ontological thinking that can enrich both foundational understanding and applied research. This will be an interesting read for students and researchers working at the intersection of quantum physics, cognitive science, and consciousness studies.
Quantum physics is perhaps the most successful scientific achievement in the history of theoretical science. It was created to explain puzzling facts that could not be interpreted using classical physical theory, and it did so by proposing an entirely new set of revolutionary concepts. The earlier classical physical theory is currently regarded as a subset of the more general quantum theory. In the process of constructing quantum mechanics, physicists created a new theory of probabilistic and dynamic systems that is more general than the previous classic theory. This book is not about quantum physics – it focuses on the application of the probabilistic dynamic system generated by quantum theory to a new field: cognition and legal decision-making. Almost all prior cognitive and decision science modelling relied on assumptions derived from classical probability dynamic systems. However, these fields have also encountered peculiar findings that are inexplicable within this limited framework. Quantum notions may provide some solutions. In this book, we examine the reasons why and show how these concepts can be applied to the fields of cognition and legal decision-making.