Quantum no-go theorems and consciousness

Axiomathes 23 (4):683-695 (2013)
  Copy   BIBTEX

Abstract

Our conscious minds exist in the Universe, therefore they should be identified with physical states that are subject to physical laws. In classical theories of mind, the mental states are identified with brain states that satisfy the deterministic laws of classical mechanics. This approach, however, leads to insurmountable paradoxes such as epiphenomenal minds and illusionary free will. Alternatively, one may identify mental states with quantum states realized within the brain and try to resolve the above paradoxes using the standard Hilbert space formalism of quantum mechanics. In this essay, we first show that identification of mind states with quantum states within the brain is biologically feasible, and then elaborating on the mathematical proofs of two quantum mechanical no-go theorems, we explain why quantum theory might have profound implications for the scientific understanding of one's mental states, self identity, beliefs and free will.

Similar books and articles

Quantum Blobs.Maurice A. de Gosson - 2013 - Foundations of Physics 43 (4):440-457.
On the Classical Limit of Quantum Mechanics.Valia Allori & Nino Zanghì - 2008 - Foundations of Physics 10.1007/S10701-008-9259-4 39 (1):20-32.
On quantum theories of the mind.Henry P. Stapp - 1999 - Journal of Consciousness Studies 6 (1):61-65.
Mind, Brain and the Quantum: The Compound "I".Michael Lockwood - 1989 - New York, NY, USA: Oxford University Press.
Micro-Level Indeterminism and Macro-Level Determinism.Marcelo Sabatés - 2001 - The Proceedings of the Twentieth World Congress of Philosophy 10:11-18.
Why the difference between quantum and classical mechanics is irrelevant to the mind-body problem.Kirk A. Ludwig - 1995 - PSYCHE: An Interdisciplinary Journal of Research On Consciousness 2.
Quantum mechanics and realism.Peter Kosso - 2000 - Foundations of Science 5 (1):47-60.

Analytics

Added to PP
2012-12-22

Downloads
1,276 (#8,411)

6 months
241 (#8,418)

Historical graph of downloads
How can I increase my downloads?

Author's Profile

Danko D. Georgiev
University of California, Los Angeles

References found in this work

Facing up to the problem of consciousness.David Chalmers - 1995 - Journal of Consciousness Studies 2 (3):200-19.
The Principles of Psychology.William James - 1890 - London, England: Dover Publications.
The logic of scientific discovery.Karl Raimund Popper - 1934 - New York: Routledge. Edited by Hutchinson Publishing Group.
What is it like to be a bat?Thomas Nagel - 1974 - Philosophical Review 83 (October):435-50.
Alternate Possibilities and Moral Responsibility.Harry G. Frankfurt - 1969 - Journal of Philosophy 66 (23):829-839.

View all 43 references / Add more references