Quantum mechanics is often claimed to have refuted determinism, opened the door to free will, shed light on consciousness, refuted realism in favor of idealism, or undermined reductionism. This paper argues that none of these philosophical conclusions are necessary or desirable. By adopting the de Broglie–Bohm theory (Bohmian mechanics), one can straightforwardly account for quantum phenomena without endorsing any of these claims.
Quantum mechanics challenges classical ideas about the observer and the whole-part relationship, leading some to propose it can illuminate the mind-body problem, especially via panpsychism. This chapter first outlines panpsychism, then examines key features of quantum theories and how the main quantum theories of consciousness employ those features to explain conscious experience.