Open systems, quantum probability and logic for quantum-like modeling in biology, cognition, and decision making

TL;DR

This review explores how quantum theory's mathematical framework can be applied to model complex biological and cognitive systems, emphasizing quantum-like models as tools for understanding information processing in macroscopic biosystems.

Contribution

It highlights the application of quantum information theory and open quantum systems to biological and cognitive modeling, distinguishing quantum-like models from genuine quantum physics.

Findings

Quantum-like models are applicable to macroscopic biosystems.

Open quantum systems theory is essential for modeling biological and mental processes.

Quantum instruments and master equations are useful tools in this modeling approach.

Abstract

The aim of this review is to highlight the possibility to apply the mathematical formalism and methodology of quantum theory to model behaviour of complex biosystems, from genomes and proteins to animals, humans, ecological and social systems. Such models are known as quantum-like and they should be distinguished from genuine quantum physical modeling of biological phenomena. One of the distinguishing features of quantum-like models is their applicability to macroscopic biosystems, or to be more precise, to information processing in them. Quantum-like modeling has the base in quantum information theory and it can be considered as one of the fruits of the quantum information revolution. Since any isolated biosystem is dead, modeling of biological as well as mental processes should be based on theory of open systems in its most general form -- theory of open quantum systems. In this review we advertise its applications to biology and cognition, especially theory of quantum instruments and quantum master equation. We mention the possible interpretations of the basic entities of quantum-like models with special interest to QBism is as may be the most useful interpretation.