4: Quantum Physics

Quantum Physics and Philosophy. If, as philosophers from Descartes to David Chalmers suggest, the mind or consciousness is in some way extrinsic to, or at least not explained by, the neurophysiology: Is there a need for a new layer of physics to explain the emergence of consciousness? Intro to quantum mechanics: the macro world and classical mechanics versus the micro world and quantum mechanics. Particles and waves and "complementarity". The "uncertainty" principle. Is consciousness a physical thing? If so can we describe it adequately within a reductionist framework? If not, is there a need for a new physics to allow us to understand consciousness? Other theories, such as the Penrose-Hameroff theory of "microtubules" are discussed.

Go to Do we need a new Physics to understand Ordinary Consciousness ? which includes references to transcripts of talks from Michael Lockwood, Henry Stapp and Paul Davies.

Michael J. Lockwood of Green College, Oxford University. On "The Enigma of Sentience". The language of physics seems to have no room in it for "consciousness", because it doesn't have a way of handling "qualia" or the feel of things, the unity of consciousness and nature of meaning. Nevertheless conscious states are firmly embedded in the physical world.
Michael Lockwood: "The Enigma of Sentience"

Henry Stapp of Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory, University of California, Berkeley, California. On "Consciousness in Quantum Theory". Classical physics is not adequate for describing consciousness since it entails no terms for the conditions that give rise to consciousness. But the basic formalism of Quantum mechanics entails conscious experience as a primitive and as such may provide the basis for a theory of consciousness that is consistent with the physical world.
Henry Stapp: "Consciousness in Quantum Theory"

Paul Davies, Professor of Natural Philosophy, Adelaide University, Sth. Australia. On "Is a New Physics Necessary?". There has always been a link between consciousness and quantum mechanics through the involvement of the observer in the experimental process. This does not imply, however, that quantum mechanics plays a crucial role in the conscious brain. That is more likely to be a function of organised complexity.
Paul Davies: "Is a New Physics Necessary?"