Shan Gao
Abstract
The relationship between quantum collapse and consciousness is reconsidered under the assumption that quantum collapse is an objective dynamical process. We argue that the conscious observer can have a distinct role from the physical measuring device during the process of quantum collapse owing to the intrinsic nature of consciousness; the conscious observer can know whether he is in a definite state or a quantum superposition of definite states, while the physical measuring device cannot "know". As a result, the consciousness observer can distinguish the definite states and their quantum superposition, while the physical measuring device without consciousness cannot do. This provides a possible quantum physical method to distinguish man and machine. The new result also implies that consciousness has causal efficacies in the physical world when considering the existence of quantum collapse. Accordingly consciousness is not reducible or emergent, but a new fundamental property of matter. This may establish a quantum basis for panpsychism, and make it be a promising solution to the hard problem of consciousness. Furthermore, it is suggested that a unified theory of matter and consciousness includes two parts: one is the psychophysical principle or corresponding principle between conscious content and matter state, and the other is the complete quantum evolution of matter state, which includes the definite nonlinear evolution element introduced by consciousness and relating to conscious content. Lastly, some experimental schemes are presented to test the proposed quantum theory of consciousness.
- Adler, S. L., & Brun, T. A. (2001). Generalized stochastic Schrödinger equations for state vector collapse. Journal of Physics A, 34, 4797-4809.Google Scholar
Cross Ref
- Bell, J. S. (1987). Speakable and unspeakable in quantum mechanics. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.Google Scholar
- Chalmers, D. (1996). The conscious mind. Oxford: University of Oxford Press.Google Scholar
- Crick, F. (1994). The astonishing hypothesis. New York: Scribner's.Google Scholar
- Czachor, M. (1995). Nonlinear Schrödinger equation and two-level atoms. Preprint quant-ph/9501007.Google Scholar
- DeWitt, B. S., & Graham, N. (Eds.), (1973). The many-worlds interpretation of quantum mechanics. Princeton: Princeton University Press.Google Scholar
- Deutsch, D. (1985). Quantum theory as a universal physical theory. International Journal of Theoretical Physics, 24, 1-41.Google ScholarCross Ref
- Diosi, L. (1989). Models for universal reduction of macroscopic quantum fluctuations. Physics Review A, 40, 1165-1174.Google ScholarCross Ref
- Duane, T. D., & Behrendt, T. (1965). Extrasensory electroencephalographic induction between two identical twins. Science, 150, 367.Google ScholarCross Ref
- Edelman, G. M., & Tononi, G. (2000). A universe of consciousness: How matter becomes imagination. New York: Basic Books.Google Scholar
- Everett, H. (1957). Relative state formulation of quantum mechanics. Review of Modern Physics 29, 454- 462.Google ScholarCross Ref
- Fivel, D. I. (1997). Dynamical reduction theory of Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen correlations and a possible origin of CP violations. Physics Review A, 56, 146-156.Google ScholarCross Ref
- Gao, S. (2000). Quantum motion and superluminal communication. Beijing: Chinese Broadcasting & Television Publishing House.Google Scholar
- Gao, S. (2001). From quantum motion to classical motion-seeking the lost reality. Physics Essays, 14(1), 37-48.Google ScholarCross Ref
- Gao, S. (2003a). A possible quantum basis of panpsychism. NeuroQuantology, 1(1), 4-9.Google Scholar
- Gao, S. (2003b). Quantum. Beijing: Tsinghua University Press.Google Scholar
- Gao, S. (2004a). Quantum collapse, consciousness and superluminal communication. Foundation of Physics Letters, 17(2), 167-182.Google ScholarCross Ref
- Gao, S. (2004b). A possible connection between quantum and self-consciousness. Axiomathes: An International Journal in Ontology and Cognitive Systems, 14(4), 295-305.Google Scholar
- Gao, S. (2006a). What quantum mechanics really describes: Discontinuous motion of particles. Galilean Electrodynamics, 17(1), 3-10.Google Scholar
- Gao, S. (2006b). A model of wavefunction collapse in discrete space-time. International Journal of Theoretical Physics, 45(10), 1943-1957.Google ScholarCross Ref
- Gao, S. (2006c). Quantum motion: Unveiling the mysterious quantum world. Bury St Edmunds: Arima Publishing.Google Scholar
- Ghirardi, G. C., Rimini, A., & Weber, T. (1986). Unified dynamics for microscopic and macroscopic systems. Physics Review D, 34, 470-491.Google ScholarCross Ref
- Ghirardi, G. C., Pearle, P., & Rimini, A. (1990). A Continuous-spontaneous-reduction model involving gravity. Physics Review D, 42, 1057-1064.Google ScholarCross Ref
- Hameroff, S. R., & Penrose, R. (1996). Conscious events as orchestrated space-time selections. Journal of Consciousness Studies, 3(1), 36-53.Google Scholar
- Hughston, L. P. (1996). Geometry of stochastic state vector reduction. Proceedings af the Royal Society of London A, 452, 953-979.Google Scholar
- Jahn, R. G., Dunne, B. J., Nelson, R. D., Dobyns, Y. H., & Bradish, G. J. (1997). Correlations of random binary sequences with pre-stated operator intention: A review of a 12-year program. Journal of Scientific Exploration, 11(3), 345-367.Google Scholar
- Libet, B. (1993). Neurophysiology of consciousness: Selected papers and new essays. Boston: Birkhauser.Google Scholar
- McGinn, C. (1999). The mysterious flame: Conscious minds in a material world. New York: Basic Books.Google Scholar
- Pearle, P. (1989). Combining stochastic dynamical state-vector reduction with spontaneous localization. Physics Review A, 39, 2277-2289.Google ScholarCross Ref
- Penrose, R. (1996). On gravity's role in quantum state reduction. General Relativity and Gravitation, 28, 581-600.Google ScholarCross Ref
- Percival, I. C. (1994). Primary state diffusion. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London A, 447, 189- 209.Google ScholarCross Ref
- Radin, D. I. (1997). The conscious universe: The scientific truth of psychic phenomena. New York: HarperCollins.Google Scholar
- Radin, D. I., & Nelson, R. D. (1989). Evidence for consciousness-related anomalies in random physical systems. Foundations of Physics, 19(12), 1499-1514.Google ScholarCross Ref
- Seager, W. (1999). Theories of consciousness. London: Routledge.Google Scholar
- Seager, W. (2001). Panpsychism, Stanford Encyclopedia of PhilosophyGoogle Scholar
- Stapp, H. (1996). Mind, matter, and quantum mechanics. New York: Springer-Verlag.Google Scholar
- Strawson, G. (2006). Realistic monism: Why pbysicalism entails panpsychism. Journal of Consciousness Studies, 13(4).Google Scholar
- Strawson, G., et al. (2006). Consciousness and its place in nature: Does physicalism entail panpsychism? Exeter, UK: Imprint Academic.Google Scholar
- Targ, R., & Puthoff, H. (1974). Information transmission under conditions of sensory shielding. Nuture, 252, 602-607.Google ScholarCross Ref
- Tegmark, M. (2000). Importance of quantum decoherence in brain processes. Physics Review E, 61, 4194-4206.Google ScholarCross Ref
- von Neumann, J. (1955). Mathematical foundations of quantum mechanics. Princeton: Princeton University Press.Google Scholar
- Wackermann, J., Seiter, C., Keibel, H., & Walach H. (2003). Correlations between brain electrical activities of two spatially separated human subjects. Neuroscience Letters, 336, 60-64.Google ScholarCross Ref
- Wigner, E. P. (1967). Symmetries and reflections. Bloomington and London: Indiana University Press, pp.171-184.Google Scholar
Index Terms
- A Quantum Theory of Consciousness
Recommendations
Information as a Product of Collapsing Consciousness (Quantum Model)
Abstract—This article considers the role of consciousness in the formation of information images in accordance with the new energy-based paradigm of informatics. A quantum model of the emergence of an information image in the consciousness of an observer ...
Computation, reduction, and teleology of consciousness
This paper aims to explore mechanistic and teleological explanations of consciousness. In terms of mechanistic explanations, it critiques various existing views, especially those embodied by existing computational cognitive models. In this regard, the ...
How the Problem of Consciousness Could Emerge in Robots
I show how a robot with what looks like a hard problem of consciousness might emerge from the earnest attempt to make a robot that is smart and self-reflective. This problem arises independently of any assumption to the effect that the robot is ...
Comments