Quantum mechanics and consciousness: fact and fiction
arXiv Preprint Archive February 9, 2001 via arXiv
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractThe article argues that the notion that consciousness is essential to understanding quantum mechanics stems from logical fallacies. While this may please those annoyed by consciousness being brought into physics, the same fallacies may underpin how readers themselves make sense of quantum mechanics. The author ultimately endorses a Vedantic worldview, finding it the most sensible alternative to materialism, because quantum mechanics is inconsistent with materialism but coherent within Vedantic thought.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Keywords | Quant-ph |
| Key finding | Quantum mechanics is inconsistent with a materialistic worldview but makes perfect sense within a Vedantic framework of thought. |
Abstract
This article was written in response to a request from an editor of American Vedantist. It is shown that the idea that consciousness is essential to understanding quantum mechanics arises from logical fallacies. This may be welcome news to those who share the author's annoyance at consciousness being dragged into discussions of physics, but beware: The same fallacies may underlie the reader's own way of making sense of quantum mechanics. The article ends up embracing a Vedantic world view, for two reasons. For one, such a world view seems to the author to be the most sensible alternative to a materialistic one. For another, quantum mechanics is inconsistent with a materialistic world view but makes perfect sense within a Vedantic framework of thought.