Development of a thermodynamics of human cognition and human culture

What is it about?

In our exploration, we introduce a novel way to understand human language and culture by drawing inspiration from classical and quantum physics, as well as studies in quantum information theory. We demonstrate that concepts like ‘energy’ and ‘entropy’ can be meaningfully applied to human language. Specifically, we show that words in a text can be assigned energy levels based on their frequency of occurrence, and these energy levels follow non-classical distributions, resembling Bose-Einstein statistics rather than classical Maxwell-Boltzmann statistics. This unusual behavior arises from the quantum indistinguishability of words in the text. Moreover, we observe that the way meaning is conveyed in a text leads to a form of ‘quantum entanglement’ among words, which results in a reduction of the entropy of the text. This reduction in entropy cannot be explained using classical thermodynamic or information entropy concepts. We propose that this quantum-like behavior is a general feature of human language, suggesting that texts are conceptually more than just the sum of their individual words, leading to an overall decrease in entropy. We provide examples from cognition, where the quantization of energy manifests in categorical perception, and from culture, where collaborative efforts among entities lead to a decrease in overall entropy through entanglement. Based on these insights, we advocate for the development of a new theory of ‘non-classical thermodynamics’ to better understand human cognition.

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Why is it important?

The discoveries outlined in the article shed light on a fundamental aspect of human communication and understanding, with implications across various fields. By applying concepts from physics and information theory to language and culture, we unveil how words and their meanings behave in a manner akin to quantum phenomena. This not only challenges traditional views of language but also opens new avenues for understanding cognition and cultural dynamics. Firstly, our findings show that words in a text exhibit non-classical behavior, akin to particles in quantum physics, suggesting that language operates beyond classical frameworks. This insight can revolutionize how we analyze and interpret texts, potentially leading to more nuanced understanding and improved natural language processing algorithms. Secondly, we reveal how the entanglement of meanings in language reduces entropy, a measure of disorder, in a way not explainable by classical theories. This suggests that language possesses inherent structure and coherence beyond the sum of its individual parts, providing a deeper understanding of how communication works and how cultures evolve. These insights have far-reaching implications. They offer a new perspective on cognitive processes, showing how the brain processes language and meaning in a manner analogous to quantum systems. Furthermore, they illuminate the dynamics of cultural exchange and collaboration, showing how entities interact to create shared understanding and reduce overall entropy. In summary, our research challenges traditional notions of language and culture, offering a novel framework grounded in physics and information theory. By understanding the quantum-like nature of language and culture, we can potentially unlock new insights into human cognition, communication, and societal dynamics.

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