The Natural Philosophy and Physics of Consciousness
Advances in Consciousness Research April 12, 2001 DOI: 10.1075/aicr.29.03wal
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractConsciousness arises from quantum mechanical processes in the brain, specifically from tunneling and state vector collapse driven by the brain's comparison loops, as described by a modified Schrödinger equation (MSE). This quantum view of consciousness can resolve longstanding problems in neurophysiology and physics, including the conflict between general relativity and quantum theory. The theory also offers a solution to the measurement problem in quantum mechanics and yields testable experimental predictions.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Citations | 4 |
| Key finding | Consciousness originates from quantum tunneling and state vector collapse in the brain, as modeled by a modified Schrödinger equation, and this framework can resolve the measurement problem in quantum mechanics and the disparity between general relativity and quantum theory. |
Abstract
Consciousness comes out of quantum mechanics — from the presence of tunneling in the brain, and from state vector collapse brought on by the brain’s comparison loops. This fact is tied to the machinery of the MSE — the modified Schrödinger equation. This understanding of consciousness also lets us resolve problems in neurophysiology and even in physics — the resolution of the disparity that has long beset general relativity vis a vis quantum theory. We use this understanding of consciousness as a quantum process to resolve the measurement problem in quantum mechanics and to obtain quantities that allow us to test experimentally the viability of this theory.