Eventos Quânticos e Reducionismo Causal

Abstract

 This paper is the first step in an investigation of whether microscopic events can be reduced to a mereological composition of elementary events, especially in biological systems. The hypothesis is made that, between events in which quanta are exchanged, there is causal flow, but strictly speaking no events take place. A causal event is characterized by the possibility of an intervention or manipulation. Thus, three types of quantum mechanical events may be found: (1) detection of a quantum of energy; (2) confinement by an apparatus in a Glauber coherent state; (3) null result measurement (without exchange of quanta). The paper explores these three types of elementary causal events, e sets forth as the next step the investigation of the causal events involved in the action of a molecular motor.