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Explore the fundamental physical constraints on agency in quantum systems through this academic seminar examining whether purely quantum entities can exhibit agential behavior. Delve into the intersection of quantum mechanics and philosophy of mind as researchers Emily Adlam, Kelvin McQueen, and Cai Waegell from Chapman University present their investigation into the minimal requirements for agency and how quantum mechanical principles may fundamentally limit agential capabilities. Examine the core argument that agents must possess world-models and evaluate alternative actions, processes that require storing, transforming, and crucially, duplicating environmental information to compare different possible outcomes. Discover how the no-cloning theorem in quantum mechanics creates insurmountable obstacles for purely quantum agents by forbidding the copying of unknown quantum states, thereby preventing the construction and evaluation of alternative scenarios necessary for decision-making. Analyze various approximate cloning strategies and understand why they fail to provide sufficient fidelity or generality to support viable agency in quantum systems. Consider the profound implications of this research for quantum theories of mind and the broader question of whether agency is fundamentally a classical phenomenon requiring significant classical elements, challenging current understanding of consciousness and decision-making in quantum frameworks.
