Quantum mechanics provides the physical basis of teleological evolutions

TL;DR

This work addresses the lack of a unifying quantitative explanation for quantum speedup by proposing a time-symmetric, retrocausal framework centered on the advanced knowledge rule: in quantum algorithms, access to half the information about the future solution can reduce computation to the optimal logical minimum, yielding a speedup such as Grover’s $O(\\u001b[0m\u00a0\u221a{N})$ from the classical $O(N)$. By extending quantum descriptions to include the upstream problem-setting and time-symmetrizing the evolution, the authors derive a physical mechanism where causal loops serve as the basis for speedup. The theory is generalized to broader quantum correlations and nonlocality, via a quantum correlation time-symmetrization rule, and is argued to have implications beyond computation, potentially describing teleological aspects of biological evolution under a quantum cosmological interpretation and Fine-tuned Universe anthropic reasoning. If borne out, this framework would destabilize conventional notions of causality and provide a physical basis for holistic and finalistic views of reality, impacting interpretations of quantum mechanics and discussions of life’s evolution. The paper thus offers both a quantitative account of quantum speedup and a provocative, widely destabilizing perspective on the nature of causality and teleology in physics and biology.

Abstract

We show that the quantum computational speedup of quantum algorithms is due to their teleological character, their being evolutions toward a goal (the solution of the problem) with an attractor in the very goal they will produce in the future (the solution of the problem again). Naturally, this is a destabilizing result: the teleological notion has long been rejected by science and even, for its finalistic character, viewed as a belief. We also show that, under the quantum cosmological assumption and for the Fine-tuned Universe version of the Anthropic Principle, the physical basis of the teleological character of quantum algorithms also applies to the evolutions of the living for which the teleological notion was conceived. This work should show that the discovery of the quantum computational speedup confers full scientific dignity to the holistic and finalistic view of physical reality traditionally opposed by science.