Quantum Social Science, by Emmanuel Haven and Andrei Khrennikov

The document discusses a book that explores applying concepts from quantum theory, such as probability amplitudes and interference, to fields outside of physics like economics, psychology and brain science. The book is divided into four parts covering these topics and applications to decision making, financial theory and neuroscience. It presents the concepts with mathematical rigor but does not provide definitive answers, instead inviting further investigation.

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Quantum Social Science, by Emmanuel Haven and Andrei Khrennikov

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Quantum Social Science, by Emmanuel Haven and Andrei Khrennikov

Article in Contemporary Physics · January 2015

DOI: 10.1080/00107514.2014.962095

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Manuel Vogel
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E. Haven and A. Khrennikov

Quantum Social Science

UK, Cambridge University Press 2013

280pp+24pp, GBP 70.00 (hardback)

ISBN 9781107012820

Monograph

Manuel Vogel, GSI, Germany

The title ‘quantum social science’ appears to contradict the common understanding of the terms
‘quantum’ and ‘social science’, as the formalisms of quantum theory have indeed no obvious relation
to social sciences. The present book sets out to investigate the possibilities of applying the
mathematical apparatus which underlies quantum theory to fields outside of physical sciences such
as economics, finance, psychology and brain science. It poses the question whether there is any gain
in choosing a non-classical approach to descriptive instruments such as probability, where the world
of quantum theory offers probability amplitudes which create genuine effects like interference, a
concept applied for example within psychology. The authors wish to make clear that they do not
propose the manifestation of quantum physical effects in social sciences, but that these fields share
formal elements of mathematical description. The book is divided into four parts, the first of which is
entitled ‘Physics concepts in social science? A discussion’. It compares classical, statistical and
quantum mechanics, discusses econophysics in which statistical physics and social sciences converge,
and gives a non-mathematical motivation for quantum social science concepts. The authors have a
strong expertise particularly where these fields meet. Emmanuel Haven is a Professor at the School
of Management at the University of Leicester. He has published numerous articles in a variety of
fields such as operations research, economics and finance. Andrei Khrennikov is a Professor of
Applied Mathematics at Linnaeus University, Sweden, and Director of the International Center for
Mathematical Modelling in Physics, Engineering, Economics, and Cognitive Science. In their second
part entitled ‘Mathematics and physics preliminaries’ they give a concise presentation of vector
calculus, basic elements of quantum mechanics and basic elements of Bohmian mechanics. In the
third part ‘Quantum probabilistic effects in psychology’ are presented, with topics such as
interference effects in psychology and a quantum-like model of decision making. The fourth part
extensively discusses ‘Other quantum probabilistic effects in economics, finance and brain sciences’,
describing classical financial and economical theory in crisis, introducing Bohmian mechanics to
finance and economics, the Bohm-Vigier model and path simulation, applications to economic and
financial theory, and neurophysiological sources of quantum-like processing in the human brain.
Overall, the text is well-written and presents all lines of thought with mathematical rigour. It features
end-of-chapter references to scientific publications and a glossary to help define the terminology.
One may to a certain degree be disappointed by the fact that no simple answers are given or can be
given, but on the other hand this can be regarded as an invitation to see to what extent quantum
formalisms may be applied to one’s own science. Primarily, this book is aimed at researchers in
economics and psychology, as well as in physics, but as many questions are still awaiting an answer,
it may very well prove a good read also for researchers from other fields.