What is Quantum? Unifying Its Micro-Physical and Structural Appearance

TL;DR

This paper explores the connection between micro-physical and structural appearances of quantum phenomena, proposing that a specific organizational capacity underlies quantum effects across different domains, offering new insights into the nature of quantum.

Contribution

It introduces a unifying hypothesis linking quantum appearances to organizational structures that manage perturbations, bridging micro-physical and structural perspectives.

Findings

Quantum appearances are linked to organizational capacity to handle perturbations.

Analysis of matter, life, and culture shows common organizational principles.

Evolution plays a key role in the development of quantum-like structures.

Abstract

We can recognize two modes in which 'quantum appears' in macro domains: (i) a 'micro-physical appearance', where quantum laws are assumed to be universal and they are transferred from the micro to the macro level if suitable 'quantum coherence' conditions (e.g., very low temperatures) are realized, (ii) a 'structural appearance', where no hypothesis is made on the validity of quantum laws at a micro level, while genuine quantum aspects are detected at a structural-modeling level. In this paper, we inquire into the connections between the two appearances. We put forward the explanatory hypothesis that, 'the appearance of quantum in both cases' is due to 'the existence of a specific form of organisation, which has the capacity to cope with random perturbations that would destroy this organisation when not coped with'. We analyse how 'organisation of matter', 'organisation of life', and 'organisation of culture', play this role each in their specific domain of application, point out the importance of evolution in this respect, and put forward how our analysis sheds new light on 'what quantum is'.