Quantum Consciousness and Panpsychism: A Solution to the Hard Problem
September 8, 2007 Gao Shan
Consciousness is not reducible or emergent but a fundamental property of matter, according to a theoretical analysis that combines quantum mechanics and consciousness. The observer's consciousness can distinguish definite states from quantum superpositions, whereas a physical measuring device without consciousness cannot. This indicates that consciousness has causal efficacies in basic quantum processes, providing a quantum basis for panpsychism. The conscious process is argued to be a kind of quantum computation, and a unified theory of matter and consciousness should include complete quantum evolution with nonlinear elements introduced by consciousness, along with a psychophysical principle linking conscious content to matter state. Experimental suggestions are offered to confirm the analysis.