Modeling Concept Combinations in a Quantum-Theoretic Framework

Abstract

We present a modeling for conceptual combinations which uses the mathematical formalism of quantum theory. Our model faithfully describes a large amount of experimental data collected by different scholars on concept conjunctions and disjunctions. Furthermore, our approach sheds a new light on long standing drawbacks connected with vagueness, or fuzzyness, of concepts, and puts forward a completely novel possible solution to the ‘combination problem’ in concept theory. Additionally, we introduce an explanation for the occurrence of quantum structures in the mechanisms and dynamics of concepts and, more generally, in cognitive and decision processes, according to which human thought is a well structured superposition of a ‘logical thought’ and a ‘conceptual thought’, and the latter usually prevails over the former, at variance with some widespread beliefs.