The process algebra model: A new way of constructing reality
The concept of ‘anti-realism’ is widely seen as a fact of life for many physicists studying the mysterious effects of quantum mechanics. However, it also seems to contradict the assumptions of many other fields of research. In his research, Dr William Sulis at McMaster University in Canada explores the issue from a new perspective, by using a novel mathematical toolset named the ‘process algebra model’. In suggesting that reality itself is generated by interacting processes more fundamental than quantum particles, his theories could improve researchers’ understanding of fundamental processes in a wide variety of fields.
The concept of ‘locality’ states that objects and processes can only be influenced by other objects and processes in their immediate surroundings. It is a fundamental aspect of many fields of research and underpins all of the most complex systems we observe in nature, including living organisms. “Biologists and psychologists have known for centuries that the physical world is dominated by processes which are characterized by factors including transformation, interdependence, and information”, Dr Sulis explains. “Organisms are born, develop, continually exchange physical components and information with their environment, and eventually die.”
Beyond biology, the principle of locality also extends to Einstein’s theory of special relativity. Since the speed of light sets a fundamental speed limit on all processes in the universe, the theory states that no process can occur if it has not been triggered by another event in its past, at a close enough distance for light to travel between them within the time separating them. In general, these theories are unified by a concept which physicists call ‘realism’. Yet despite this seemingly intuitive rule, physicists have increasingly come to accept the idea that it doesn’t present a full description of how all processes unfold.
A rejection of realism
The alternative ideas presented by physicists ultimately stem from the emergence of quantum mechanics, which itself first emerged at the beginning of the 20th century. The theory suggests that on small enough scales, particles and processes operate under a completely different set of rules to those on macroscopic scales. Such properties include descriptions of particles behaving like waves — where equations define ‘wavefunctions’ which describe the probability of finding a particle in a certain position when measured by a conscious observer. Until then, it seems as if particles can exist in many different places (states) at the same time: a behaviour named ‘wave-particle duality’ (complementarity).
In addition, ‘quantum entanglement’ describes how the outcome of a measurement of one particle can correlate directly with the simultaneous measurement of another, regardless of how far they are separated in space. This appears to completely contradict Einstein’s descriptions of relativity, since the simultaneous measurement of both particles appears to break the speed limit set by the speed of light. Ultimately, wave-particle duality, quantum entanglement, and a variety of other phenomena appear to break completely with the concept of locality and therefore, with realism.
“In his latest research, Dr Sulis has used process algebra to model the behaviours of quantum particles.”
Despite its clear contrast with the foundations of other research fields, the concept of ‘anti-realism’ is now widely accepted among physicists and seen as a progression from the limited descriptions of physics put forward by Newton. “Most physicists steadfastly hold to a view of reality that is grounded in Newtonian physics, with its eternal, ideal, independent inanimate objects”, Dr Sulis describes. “Instead of embracing biological conceptions, many physicists have rejected the idea of reality.” According to Dr Sulis, however, this view is completely unsatisfactory. To truly understand why non-local phenomena occur, a fundamental rethink of the nature of reality itself is needed.
Generating reality
In his research, Dr Sulis advocates a significant break in conventional thinking. When considering highly complex systems like living organisms, we generally assume that they are made up of many smaller parts and processes, and that the complexity of the system only emerges when these parts interact with each other. Named ‘reductionism’, this concept essentially views complex systems as vast webs of interaction between the fundamental particles described by physics — and is central to many theories of the nature of reality.
In contrast, Dr Sulis considers how the concepts typically used to study the most complex systems can instead be used to study the most fundamental. “The theory turns reductionism on its head”, he explains. “It asks: to what degree can the principles of emergence observed at the largest scales be applied to the very smallest scales? That is, can principles applied to complex systems help us understand simple systems?” If this were the case, it would mean that reality is not simply a given, as assumed by both Newton and Einstein: instead, it is generated as underlying processes unfold.
Describing these processes requires an entirely new mathematical language to any model currently used to describe the universe’s most fundamental processes. Named the ‘process algebra’ model, based on earlier work from the mid-20th century, Dr Sulis hopes that the approach could offer unprecedented opportunities for researchers across many different fields to unify their fundamental descriptions of reality.
Consequences of the process algebra model
Process algebra is based around the idea that reality can be broken down into primitive, indivisible, information laden elements named ‘informons’ — which are generated as a result of previous processes. As past information propagates forward, these elements collect into finite groups named ‘generations’, which correspond to the particles we observe — previously thought to be fundamental themselves. Crucially, since these processes can only be triggered by other processes in their immediate surroundings, they fully comply with the principle of locality, and so realism is upheld.
“Each informon is generated by locally propagating information from previously generated informons”, Dr Sulis summarises. “A generation is discrete, but a continuous analogue can be obtained mathematically. The process is akin to what the eye does when it perceives a continuous image on an LED display instead of an array of coloured points.” All of this occurs on the very smallest scales which physics can describe. These are named ‘Planck’ scales — below which space and time themselves appear to breakdown.
So, on the vastly larger scales which we can observe using present-day technology, the collective properties of informons within their generations act to produce similarly real processes — including quantum mechanics, relativity, and everything in between. This was an elegant theory, but before Dr Sulis could advocate it fully, the process algebra model would need to hold up to a key test: to reproduce the many aspects of quantum mechanics which appear to break from the principles of locality and realism.
Emerging macroscopic observations
In his latest research, Dr Sulis has used process algebra to model the behaviours of quantum particles. For the model to succeed, it would need to recreate the wavefunctions of individual particles to a high degree of accuracy. To do this, Dr Sulis started his calculations from a fundamental level of discrete informons and used them to recreate a duality between wave- and particle-like properties. As he hoped, the model passed this test with flying colours.
“Conscious observers only experience the interpolated representation which leads to the various dualities and paradoxes of quantum mechanics”, says Dr Sulis. “These do not occur at the level of the informon. This demonstrates that it is possible to have a paradox-free, local model of reality which is compatible with quantum mechanics.” As a result, the mathematics requires physicists to reconstruct their present ideas of reality — but does not remove the relevance of their descriptions of non-locality. Instead, it grounds these theories in a basis compatible with realism.
Therefore, instead of describing complex systems emerging from interactions between fundamental particles, Dr Sulis argues that they can be better understood as emerging from reality itself being generated. This offers new explanations for crucial physical quantities: including energy, momentum, mass, and spacetime. It can also explain the characteristics of processes such as living organisms — including the deeply intricate function of our own brains. In subsequent research, Dr Sulis showed how process algebra can be used to understand the relation between temperament in the brains of healthy people, and longer-term mental illness.
“Dr Sulis’ theories can also explain the characteristics of processes such as living organisms — including the deeply intricate function of our own brains.”
Re-thinking a fundamental concept
Dr Sulis’ results could have far-reaching consequences in a wide array of different fields of research. If they become more widely accepted, they may offer new perspectives on many different theories; originally built around our current conceptions of reality. As a result, process algebra models could enable researchers to resolve problems which have stood unsolved for decades. Dr Sulis will now continue to develop these theories even further; offering new insights into how informons and generations give rise to the universe as we observe it.
To what extent do you think that process algebra models will influence future studies of complex systems?
Physics develops models based upon ideas of enduring inanimate objects, with energy being the currency of physical interactions. Organisms, mind, and culture, in stark contrast, are subjective, characterized by properties such as becoming, developing, generation and renewal, evolution, transience and impermanence, flux, mutual interaction, contextuality. The currency underlying all of these is information. The process algebra model was specifically developed with these key features in mind. The hope is that it will provide the study of complex systems with the beginnings of a natural language for describing and analyzing how these various features play out in real-world complex systems.
References
- Sulis, W. (2020). An Information Ontology for the Process Algebra Model of Non-Relativistic Quantum Mechanics. Entropy, 22(2), 136. Available at: https://doi.org/10.3390/e22020136
- Sulis, W. (2020). Locality is Dead! Long Live Locality! Frontiers in Physics, 8, 360. Available at: https://doi.org/10.3389/fphy.2020.00360
- Sulis, W. (2020). The Continuum Between Temperament and Mental Illness as Dynamical Phases and Transitions. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 11. Available at: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2020.614982
Research Objectives
Dr Sulis examines the process algebra model of non-relativistic quantum mechanics (NRQM).
Collaborators
- Dr Irina Trofimova, McMaster University
- Dr Robert Mann, University of Waterloo
- Dr Rafael Sorkin, Perimeter Institute
- Dr Achim Kempf, University of Waterloo
- Dr Steve Weinstein, University of Waterloo
Bio
Dr William Sulis is Director of the Collective Intelligence Laboratory, McMaster University. He holds an MD with a Fellowship in Psychiatry and a sub-specialty in Geriatric Psychiatry. He also has a PhD in Mathematics and a PhD in Physics. Dr Sulis studies the application of complex systems theory in physics, collective intelligence, neurobiology, and psychiatry.
Contact
255 Townline Rd E, RR5, Cayuga, Ontario
Canada N0A 1E0
E: sulisw@mcmaster.ca
T: +1 905–772–7218
W: https://www.fhs.mcmaster.ca/cilab/sulisw/sulis.html
