An overview of how complex systems from a variety of fields can be modelled using principles of quantum mechanics; from biology and ecology, to sociology and decision-making. The mathematical basis of these models is fully described, providing a self-contained introduction for students and researchers in applied mathematics or theoretical physics.
This book mathematically analyzes the basic problems of biology, decision making and psychology within the framework of the theory of open quantum systems. In recent years there has been an explosion of interest in applications of quantum theory in fields beyond physics. The main areas include psychology, decision-making, economics, finance, social science as well as genetics and molecular biology. The corresponding models are referred to as quantum-like; they don’t concern any genuine physical processes in the human brain. Quantum-like models reflect the special features of information processing in biological, cognitive, and social systems which match well with the quantum formalism. This formalism gives rise to the quantum probability model (QP) which differs essentially from Kolmogorov's classical probability model. QP also serves as the basis for quantum information theory. Recently QP has been widely applied to the resolution of the basic paradoxes of decision making theory and to modeling experimental data stemming from cognition, psychology, economics, and finance thereby shedding light on probability fallacies and irrational behavior. In this book, the theory of quantum instruments and the quantum master equation are applied to the modeling of biological and cognitive processes, in particular, to the stability of complex biological and social systems interacting with their environment. An essential part of the book is devoted to the theory of the social laser and the Fröhlich condensate.
Computers are essential for the functioning of our society. Despite the incredible power of existing computers, computing technology is progressing beyond today’s conventional models. Quantum Computing (QC) is surfacing as a promising disruptive technology. QC is built on the principles of quantum mechanics. QC can run algorithms that are not trivial to run on digital computers. QC systems are being developed for the discovery of new materials and drugs and improved methods for encoding information for secure communication over the Internet. Unprecedented new uses for this technology are bound to emerge from ongoing research. The development of conventional digital computing technology for the arts and humanities has been progressing in tandem with the evolution of computers since the 1950s. Today, computers are absolutely essential for the arts and humanities. Therefore, future developments in QC are most likely to impact on the way in which artists will create and perform, and how research in the humanities will be conducted. This book presents a comprehensive collection of chapters by pioneers of emerging interdisciplinary research at the crossroads of quantum computing, and the arts and humanities, from philosophy and social sciences to visual arts and music. Prof. Eduardo Reck Miranda is a composer and a professor in Computer Music at Plymouth University, UK, where he is a director of the Interdisciplinary Centre for Computer Music Research (ICCMR). His previous publications include the Springer titles Handbook of Artificial Intelligence for Music, Guide to Unconventional Computing for Music, Guide to Brain-Computer Music Interfacing and Guide to Computing for Expressive Music Performance.
This book presents interdisciplinary research in the science of Human Cognition through mathematical and computational modeling and simulation. Featuring new approaches developed by leading experts in the field of cognitive science, it highlights the relevance and depth of this important area of social sciences and its expanding reach into the biological, physical, computational and mathematical sciences. This contributed volume compiles the most recent advancements and cutting-edge applications of cognitive modeling, employing a genuinely multidisciplinary approach to simulate thinking, memory, and decision-making. The topics covered encompass a wide range of subjects, such as Agent-based Modeling in psychological research, the Nyayasutra proof pattern, the utilization of the Pheromone Trail Algorithm for modeling Analog Memory, the theory and practical applications of Social Laser Theory, addressing the challenges of probabilistic learning in brain and behavior models, adopting a Physicalistic perspective to understand the emergence of cognition and computation, an in-depth analysis of the conjunction fallacy as a factual occurrence, exploring quantum modeling and causality in physics and its extensions, examining compositional vector semantics within spiking neural networks, delving into the realms of Optimality, Prototypes, and Bilingualism, and finally, investigating the intricate dimensionality of color perception. Given its scope and approach, the book will benefit researchers and students of computational social sciences, mathematics and its applications, quantum physics.
This book describes how complex systems from a variety of fields can be modeled using quantum mechanical ideas; from biology and ecology, to sociology and decision-making. Quantum mechanics is traditionally associated with microscopic systems; however, quantum concepts have also been successfully applied to a wide range of macroscopic systems both within and outside physics. The mathematical basis of these models is covered in detail, providing a self-contained and consistent approach. This book provides unique insight into the dynamics of these macroscopic systems and opens new interdisciplinary research frontiers. The authors present an essential resource for researchers in applied mathematics or theoretical physics who are interested in applying quantum mechanics to complex systems in the social, biological or ecological sciences. Describes how complex systems from a variety of fields can be modeled using quantum mechanical ideas Provides insight into the dynamics of macroscopic systems and opens new interdisciplinary research frontiers Introduces quantum tools needed for the analysis of the dynamical behavior of macroscopic systems
The Routledge Handbook of Research Methods for Social-Ecological Systems provides a synthetic guide to the range of methods that can be employed in social-ecological systems (SES) research. The book is primarily targeted at graduate students, lecturers and researchers working on SES, and has been written in a style that is accessible to readers entering the field from a variety of different disciplinary backgrounds. Each chapter discusses the types of SES questions to which the particular methods are suited and the potential resources and skills required for their implementation, and provides practical examples of the application of the methods. In addition, the book contains a conceptual and practical introduction to SES research, a discussion of key gaps and frontiers in SES research methods, and a glossary of key terms in SES research. Contributions from 97 different authors, situated at SES research hubs in 16 countries around the world, including South Africa, Sweden, Germany and Australia, bring a wealth of expertise and experience to this book. The first book to provide a guide and introduction specifically focused on methods for studying SES, this book will be of great interest to students and scholars of sustainability science, environmental management, global environmental change studies and environmental governance. The book will also be of interest to upper-level undergraduates and professionals working at the science–policy interface in the environmental arena.
This book examines information processing performed by bio-systems at all scales: from genomes, cells and proteins to cognitive and even social systems. It introduces a theoretical/conceptual principle based on quantum information and non-Kolmogorov probability theory to explain information processing phenomena in biology as a whole. The book begins with an introduction followed by two chapters devoted to fundamentals, one covering classical and quantum probability, which also contains a brief introduction to quantum formalism, and another on an information approach to molecular biology, genetics and epigenetics. It then goes on to examine adaptive dynamics, including applications to biology, and non-Kolmogorov probability theory. Next, the book discusses the possibility to apply the quantum formalism to model biological evolution, especially at the cellular level: genetic and epigenetic evolutions. It also presents a model of the epigenetic cellular evolution based on the mathematical formalism of open quantum systems. The last two chapters of the book explore foundational problems of quantum mechanics and demonstrate the power of usage of positive operator valued measures (POVMs) in biological science. This book will appeal to a diverse group of readers including experts in biology, cognitive science, decision making, sociology, psychology, and physics; mathematicians working on problems of quantum probability and information and researchers in quantum foundations.
Quality of Life and Climate Change: Impacts, Sustainable Adaptation, and Social-Ecological Resilience delves into the pressing concerns surrounding climate change and its profound impacts on the quality of life (QoL) experienced by individuals and communities worldwide. This book explores the intricate relationship between climate change, variability, and QoL in both rural and urban settings. It undertakes a detailed review of QoL assessments to examine the extent to which climatic changes and livability conditions are incorporated into existing evaluations. By shedding light on the critical need to consider climatic factors in measuring and comparing QoL, especially in the context of creating aging-friendly and climate-neutral cities, this publication addresses a significant research gap. This book presents prospective themes, including sustainable solutions, mitigation strategies, and models to enhance socio-ecological resilience. The chapters within the book cover a wide range of topics including climatic variations and future projections, technological advancements in climate change mitigation, implications for residential and non-residential areas, industrial solutions, SDG attainment, mitigation strategies, QoL measurement instruments, and urban QoL models. By addressing these themes, the book provides a comprehensive analysis of the complex interactions between climate change, QoL, and the pursuit of sustainable development. This book serves as a valuable resource for researchers, academicians, policymakers, civil society groups, think tanks, government and non-government organizations, international agencies, and other interested parties seeking to deepen their knowledge and capacity in the field of climate change and its impacts on QoL and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) attainment.
"e;Brian Morris blazed a lot of trails. He is a scholar of genuine daring and great humanity, and his work deserves to be read and debated for a very long time to come."e; -David Graeber, author ofDebt: The First 5,000 Years In our world of ecological catastrophe and social crisis, some roundly condemn modern civilisation as the source of our Promethean predicament. What can follow is a rejection of humanism, science and the City and a turn to either nostalgic primitivism or esoteric spirituality. But do we really need to flee the city for the woods in order to build a free society? In this triple intellectual biography, Brian Morris lucidly discusses three intellectual giants who made an enormous, though often overlooked, contribution to modern ecology: Lewis Mumford, Rene Dubos, and Murray Bookchin. Morris argues that they have forged a third way beyond both industrialism and anti-modernism: ecological humanism (also known as social ecology), a tradition that embraces both ecological realities and the ethical and cultural wealth of humanism. In examining their thought, Professor Morris paves the way for fresh debate on ecology, charting an optimistic vision for the profound reharmonisation of nature and culture as well as the ecological, egalitarian and democratic transformation of our cities and society. Essential reading for anyone with an interest or active role in ecology or philosophy and their associated disciplines, Pioneers of Ecological Humanism is written in a clear and refreshingly direct style that will appeal to academics, activists, and armchair ecologists alike. Leaving school at the age of fifteen, Brian Morris had a varied career: foundry worker, seaman, and tea-planter in Malawi, before becoming a university teacher. Now Emeritus Professor of Anthropology at Goldsmiths College, University of London, he is the author of numerous articles and books on ethnobotany, religion and symbolism, hunter-gatherer societies and concepts of the individual. His books include Richard Jefferies and the Ecological Vision (2006), Religion and Anthropology: A Critical Introduction (2006), Insects and Human Life (2004) and Kropotkin: The Politics of Community (2004). Black Rose Books is also the publisher of his Bakunin: The Philosophy of Freedom (1993) and the forthcoming Anarchist Miscellany. Pioneers of Ecological Humanism is essential reading for anyone concerned with these issues. Conversant with the history of ideas, Morris places Bookchin especially in a context that has eluded other authors who have treated his work. His writing style is lucid and accessible.Highly recommended. - Janet Biehl, author, partner of Murray Bookchin 275 pages, Bibliography and Index Paperback ISBN: 978-1-55164-607-7 Hardcover ISBN: 978-1-55164-609-1 eBook ISBN: 978-1-55164-611-4 Table of Contents Preface Ecological Humanism: An Introduction Part 1: Lewis Mumford and Organic Humanism 1. The Radical Scholar 2. Lewis Mumford: The Formative Years 3. Technics and Civilisation 4. The Culture of Cities 5. Western Culture and its Transformation: The Rise of Mechanistic Philosophy 6. The Insurgence of Romanticism and Utilitarian Philosophy 7. Mumford's Organic Philosohpy 8. The Renewal of Life Part 2 Rene Duos and Ecological Humanism 9. Rene Dubos and the Celebration of Life 10. The Living World and Human Nature 11. Sociocultural Evolution and the Human Personality 12. The Ecology of Health and Disease 13. The Theology of the Earth 14. Humanized Landscapes 15. The Wooing of the Earth 16. Science and Holism Part 3 The Social Ecology of Murray Bookchin 17. Bookchin's Life and Work 18. The Environmental Crisis and Eco-Anarchism 19. Toward an Ecological Society 20. The Concept of Ecological Society 21. The Deep Ecology Movement 22. Deep Ecology, Biocentrism and Misanthropy 23. Neo-Malthusianism and the Politics of Deep Ecology 24. The Philosophy of Social Ecology 25. In Defence of the Enlightenment Bibliography Index
Family Matters focuses on research and clinical material which bridges the traditional gap between child and adult mental health. Rather than considering child and adult problems separately, the authors address the often complex interactions between the two, covering such topics as: · The implications of childhood trauma in later life · The impact of parental mental health problems on children · How interactions within a family can affect the mental health of all individuals within the family The authors review existing research and cover their own recent studies and practical experience, and put forward new theoretical models to underpin their recommendations for changes in practice, such as liason initiatives between child and adult services and specialised services to treat adolescents, parenting breakdown and perinatal psychiatric illness. The findings and recommendations in Family Matters have have important implications for the organsiation and funding of mental health and related services, and staff training, and should be read by all those in professions concerned with child and adult mental health, including psychiatrists, family therapists, psychotherapists, nurses, health visitors and social workers, and health service managers.
