[apw]

I don't think that "it can be emulated by computers" follows from "intelligence is a purely physical phenomenon".

Even fairly simple quantum systems (which are "purely physical phenomena") cannot be emulated by any classical computer in any meaningful sense, since the computational complexity of integrating the dynamical equations is exponential. Even if we could recruit all the atoms in the known Universe, we still couldn't build a classical computer capable of emulating many simple quantum systems.

[moe]

Even if we could recruit all the atoms in the known Universe

In the past 233 years we have evolved from the first steam machine to the iPhone 5S. I would say we have a pretty good track record at overcoming miniaturization problems.

[sampo]

Then again, most people don't think that quantum level phenomena have anything to do with human intelligence.

[yohanatan]

Not sure it's clear that most people don't think that. There has been a lot of articles on quantum effects in the human brain lately. e.g., http://goo.gl/Ff0elU

[sampo]

Those theories (also in your link) have only one source: Roger Penrose.

If you open any Neuroscience textbook, there will be no mentions of quantum phenomena as related to consciousness.

[yohanatan]

I was referring to the "recent discovery of quantum vibrations in microtubules inside brain neurons" which is a fact independent of any particular theory or interpretation thereof.