What the liar paradox can reveal about the quantum logical structure of our minds

Self-referential paradoxes like the Liar paradox are a unique ability of the human mind that logic alone cannot explain. This paper analyzes the Liar paradox using both classical (Boolean) and quantum logic, finding that both fail to resolve it because perceptions are atomistic, particle-like events. A physical mechanism is proposed that can account for the experience of self-referential paradox, which neither classical nor quantum mechanical operations can achieve, offering a better model for this aspect of mind structure.

Study at a glance

Abstract

In human consciousness perceptions are distinct or atomistic events despite being perceived by an apparently undivided inner observer. This paper applies both classical (Boolean) and quantum logic to analysis of the Liar paradox which is taken as a typical example of a self-referential negation in the perception space of an undivided observer. The conception of self-referential paradoxes is a unique ability of the human mind still lacking an explanation on the basis of logic. It will be shown that both classical and quantum logics fail to resolve the paradox because of the particle-like (atomistic) nature of physical events in the moments of perception. I suggest a physical mechanism that can deal with our experience of self-referential paradox. Because it is also shown that this cannot be achieved by any previously suggested classical or quantum mechanical operation, the newly proposed mechanism provides a better model than others for an important aspect of the structure of our minds.