By Siddharth Pai,
In the ever-evolving landscape of technology, quantum computing stands as a frontier that is as bewildering as it is promising. To truly grasp its essence, we need to dive into the realm of paradoxical logic, a concept beautifully juxtaposed with Aristotelian logic in Erich Fromm’s seminal work, “The Art of Loving.”
Aristotle’s logic, later followed upon by George Boole, the English mathematician and philosopher who gave us Boolean algebra to deal with the binary logic of “off” and “on” or 1s and 0s as we see in transistors and integrated circuits today, forms the backbone of classical computing. It operates on clear, binary principles. It’s a world of black and white, where statements are either true or false, and nothing in between.
This logical framework underpins the binary system of 0s and 1s, the fundamental language of classical computers. They process information in a straightforward, predictable manner, following a predefined path set for them by the computer programming languages of today, almost all of which are based on Boolean algebra. But paradoxical logic is made of different stuff. It posits that A, while completely different than B, can be both part of A and B at the same time, and vice-versa.
In other words, that would mean a computer bit could be both 1 and 0 at the same time, which is a complete paradox, and unworkable in today’s technology world.
Erich Fromm, the German-American philosopher, in The Art of Loving, one of his seminal works, introduces the concept of paradoxical logic. As I have noted above, unlike the binary clarity of Aristotelian logic, paradoxical logic accepts contradictions. It embraces the coexistence of opposites, a concept that might sound baffling to a strictly binary mind.
Fromm suggests that the understanding of higher truths often requires accepting the validity of seemingly contradictory statements. According to him. “This axiom of Aristotelian logic has so deeply imbued our habits of thought that it is felt to be “natural” and self-evident, while on the other hand the statement that X is A and not A seems to be nonsensical.”
But he goes on to say “The general principle of paradoxical logic has been clearly described by Lao-tse. “Words that are strictly true seem to be paradoxical.” And by Chuang-tzu: “That which is one is one. That which is not-one, is also one.” These formulations of paradoxical logic are positive: it is, and it is not. Another formulation is negative: it is neither this nor that. The former expression of thought we find in Taoist thought, the latter formulation is frequent in Indian philosophy.
Quantum computing is the child of this paradoxical logic. In the quantum realm, particles can exist in multiple states simultaneously, thanks to the principle of superposition. This is akin to being both ‘0’ and ‘1’ at the same time, a state that is inconceivable in classical computing.
Another quantum oddity is entanglement, where particles become so intimately linked that the state of one instantly influences the other, regardless of the distance separating them. This phenomenon defies conventional logic and would have been dismissed as magical thinking in an Aristotelian framework. Yet, in the quantum world, it’s a fundamental feature that quantum computers leverage for unparalleled processing power.
In practical terms, this means quantum computers can process a vast number of possibilities simultaneously. They are not restricted to the linear, step-by-step processing of classical computers.This capability opens new horizons in fields such as cryptography, where they can break codes thought to be unbreakable, and in drug discovery, by simulating molecular structures in ways previously thought impossible.
However, harnessing the power of quantum computing is not without its paradoxes, if you will pardon the pun. Quantum states are incredibly fragile; even a slight disturbance can cause a quantum state to collapse, a phenomenon known as “decoherence.” This makes quantum computers both incredibly powerful and incredibly delicate. It’s a paradoxical challenge: how to maintain these states long enough to perform meaningful computations.
Fromm’s paradoxical logic not only aids in understanding the scientific principles of quantum computing but also its philosophical implications. The very nature of quantum computing challenges our traditional notions of reality and certainty.
It pushes us to accept that our linear, binary way of thinking might be an oversimplification of a universe that thrives on complexities and contradictions. In addition, for reasons that would take up yet another column like this one, many quantum computers must be kept to near absolute zero temperatures—which means minus 273 degrees Celsius, which is a state that is almost impossible to reach.
As we stand on the brink of this quantum revolution, it’s crucial to prepare for a future that’s fundamentally different from our past. Quantum computing will not just change the way we process information but might also alter our understanding of the world. It demands a flexible mindset, one that can embrace paradoxes and
uncertainties.
The intersection of paradoxical logic, as explained by Fromm, and quantum computing presents a fascinating convergence of philosophy and science. It challenges us to rethink our approach to understanding the universe.
As we delve deeper into the quantum realm, we might find that embracing paradoxes is not just a necessity for quantum computing, but a fundamental aspect of comprehending the complexity of the world around us. In this new era, the ability to hold two opposing ideas simultaneously could be the key to unlocking mysteries that have baffled humanity for centuries. Quantum computing is not just a technological advancement; it’s a philosophical revolution.
(The author is Technology consultant and venture capitalist and Views are personal) (By invitation)