Huh?

Rather startled me too. I hadn't heard this posited above the level of quantum mechanics.

I think it is maybe that mass attributed particles such as electrons are nontheless theoretical constructs (models) and invite metaphorical association with newtonian physics. While standard model nuclear physics is working fine for being congruent with experimental data (minus, of course, higgs boson yet), the development of other ways of understanding may eliminate the apparent difficulty of fitting 'particles' to other models of cogniyion. It is entirely possible logically, although it would be extremely odd to do so at present, to eliminate the concept of electrons et al entirely.

abailart, interesting comment.

sounds fascinating. Lets hope they don't all decide to take a vacation to alpha centauri together.

AFAIK it comes down to a philosophical question about determinism. If determinism stands there is no place for the free will has majority has grown accustomed to picture it.

If everything falls under the laws of physics and will as such is just another representation of our brains' electrochemistry, then there is nothing free about the will at all -- it simply must be pre-detrmined by past events, down to the big bang or what ever started the whole proccess.

Intuition seems to tell us, however, that free will is quite imminent. And also, it seems there are some theoretically undetermined particles in quantum physics. Thus the link - and hope - for the common-sence free will remains.

Ah but physics is not determined. That was Einstein's great complaint about god playing dice.

If by physics you mean the "new" quantum physics and quantum mechanics then certainly. I should of added a "newtonian" up there, I guess. Although Einstein seemed to think till the end that quantum theories missed something. Maybe we'll see?

Yes, I agree, very Newtonian, just one big pinball machine running forever.