Partially holistic system

A system of this type is not holistic, but partially holistic, which means that pairwise interaction occurs between the holistic units. The distinction drawn here between holistic and partially holistic systems is not in line with the terminology used in general philosophic discourse and in order to avoid any confusion it is preferable to distinguish between systems that interact either continuously, or discontinuously, with the quantum potential field. Quantum potential, like the gravitational potential, occurs in the vacuum, presumably with constant intensity. The quantum potential energy of a quantum object therefore only depends on the wave function of the object. 

The more general view is that non-local interaction within a molecule determines the charge distribution and conformation holistically. All local features are consequences of the whole. However, molecules of any complexity are rarely the product of a one-step reaction starting from the atomic constituents and are more likely built up from intermediate fragments that retain some of their own molecular properties on incorporation into a bigger whole. This mechanism explains the large number of additive rules that have been discovered empirically for molecular systems [51] and the existence of isomers. A molecule whose conformation and properties are functions of its chemical history, is not holistic, but partially holistic [2], which means that its wave function is a product function, albeit with a limited number of factors (fragments),... 

The individual sectors of a factorizable product-state system are partially holistic and appropriate to describe molecules. Each sector of this type has a characteristic quantum potential that keeps it together by balancing the classical potential. A molecule may therefore be viewed as a chemical entity made up of particles that move under the influence of a common quantum potential. 

To understand why and how chemical reactions happen it is necessary to consider also intermolecular interactions. It is only in the hypothetical case of an ideal gas that intermolecular interactions are totally absent. In all other systems they represent an important factor that affects molecular conformation, reactivity and stability. Whenever molecules co-exist in equilibrium it means that intermolecular forces are not sufficient to pull the molecules apart or together into larger aggregates. Equilibrium implies a balance of thermodynamic factors, and when these factors change, intermolecular interactions may overcome the integrity of a partially holistic molecule, and lead on to chemical reaction. Onset of the reaction is said to be controlled by an activation energy barrier. This barrier must clearly be closely allied to the quanmm potential of the molecule. 

There is no evidence that any classical attribute of a molecule has quantum-mechanical meaning. The quantum molecule is a partially holistic unit, fully characterized by means of a molecular wave function, that allows a projection of derived properties such as electron density, quanmm potential and quantum torque. There is no operator to define those properties that feature in molecular mechanics. Manual introduction of these classical variables into a quantum system is an unwarranted abstraction that distorts the non-classical picture irretrievably. Operations such as orbital hybridization, LCAO and Bom-Oppenheimer separation of electrons and nuclei break the quantum symmetry to yield a purely classical picture. No amount of computation can repair the damage. 

Any effort to integrate the findings of partial global environmental system studies into a comprehensive holistic view requires ... 

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