Quantum physics and human consciousness: The status of the current debate.
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Open Access Location
Authors
Jackson, P.
Keywords
Quantum physics
Human consciousness
Human consciousness
Description of form
Publisher
Rights
TBA
Rights holder
Issue Date
2002
Peer-reviewed status
Type
Working Paper
Abstract
This paper reviews the literature on the debate about the relationship between the quantum realm and human consciousness. It starts with a brief look at quantum physics, then moves on to look at the key quantum interpretations, covering the Copenhagen Interpretation, Von Neumann's views, the neorealists, and the 'many worlds' and 'many minds' views. Key authors in the literature on the quantum-consciousness debate are then reviewed within a framework of three levels of explanation: neurological, psychological and philosophical. The various analyses are brought together by consideration of the key issues that arose during the review, where these were seen as the quantum-neuron interaction, neurons and consciousness, consciousness and the wave equation, Copenhagen versus the rest, 'many worlds' versus 'many minds', the Cartesian dichotomy, and Chalmers' hard problem. Finally, the paper finds the 'many minds' view the most viable of the views examined.
Citation
Jackson, P. (2002). Quantum physics and human consciousness: The status of the current debate (Working Papers No. 5-02). Lower Hutt, New Zealand: The Open Polytechnic of New Zealand.