“Active information in quantum physics, biology and beyond”

Time: Tuesday, Oct 6 at 14-15 Speaker: Paavo Pylkkänen, University of Helsinki and University of Skövde Place: Auditorium YB210, Linnanmaa Campus, University of Oulu

“Early on in my studies I became interested in the mind-body problem, and the problem of interpreting quantum theory, and I suppose these interests have continued throughout my career and led me where I am today.” Paavo Pylkkänenhttp://www.his.se/en/about-us/Facts-and-figures/staff/paavo_pylkkanen/ (University of Skövde web-pages)

Abstract. Quantum theory is fundamental in physics and is currently applied to biology (photosynthesis, avian magnetoreception), information technology (quantum computation and cryptography), and even in cognitive modelling (decision making, memory, concepts and perception). Ironically in relation to this success, quantum theory comes with many puzzles and paradoxes, such as the claim that electrons are in two places at once; that cats are alive and dead at the same time; that the world at the macroscopic level is constantly branching into copies (“many worlds”); that to solve these problems the consciousness of the observer has to play an active role. A more sober version of quantum theory which solves the above problems was discovered by de Broglie in 1927 and rediscovered and developed by Bohm in 1952 (see also Bohm and Hiley 1987, 1993). In this theory the electron is seen as a particle AND a quantum wave field. Bohm and Hiley proposed the radically new notion that this wave field is not an ordinary physical field, but rather a field of information, which literally informs the energy of the particle. They also suggested that such notion of “active information” applies beyond quantum physics, for example in biology (e.g. in the way the DNA molecule in-forms the construction of proteins), information technology and even psychological and social phenomena. This talk presents the notion of quantum active information and discusses its possible relevance to understanding biological information.

Coffee/tea and pastry is served after the lecture! There is no need for registration. The lecture is organized by “Genes & Society” Argumenta-projecthttp://www.oulu.fi/biocenter/genes-and-society/. Everyone is warmly welcome! Meri Rova Coordinator Genes and Society Argumenta Projecthttp://www.oulu.fi/biocenter/genes-and-society Biocenter Oulu University of Oulu P.O.Box 5000, FIN-90014 University of Oulu, Finland Street address: Aapistie 5A, FIN-90220 Oulu, Finland Tel. +358-(0)294 485478 Mobile phone +358-(0)50 464 3361 E-mail: meri.rova(at)oulu.fi