Quantum Field Theory Explains Downward Causation

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Downward causation is the idea that somehow what is going on at higher levels of a series of emergent explanations can explain lower levels. It's entirely 100% incompatible with everything we know about quantum field theory, he says. The amount by which it's changing depends only on the values and derivatives of other fields at exactly the same point in space. So you'd need to fundamentally overturn the principle of locality for downward causation to be important. Also, I see no evidence for it.

Welcome to the February 2023 Ask Me Anything episode of Mindscape! These monthly excursions are funded by Patreon supporters (who are also the ones asking the questions). We take questions asked by Patreons, whittle them down to a more manageable number — based primarily on whether I have anything interesting to say about them, not whether the questions themselves are good — and sometimes group them together if they are about a similar topic. Enjoy!

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