Quantum mechanics and consciousness: fact and fiction
Ulrich Mohrhoff
arXiv Preprint Archive February 9, 2001 preprint
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper |
|---|---|
| Keywords | Quant-ph |
| Key points | Argues that the idea that consciousness is essential to quantum mechanics stems from logical fallacies and that a Vedantic worldview, unlike materialism, is consistent with quantum mechanics. |
Abstract
This article was written in response to a request from an editor of American Vedantist. It is shown that the idea that consciousness is essential to understanding quantum mechanics arises from logical fallacies. This may be welcome news to those who share the author's annoyance at consciousness being dragged into discussions of physics, but beware: The same fallacies may underlie the reader's own way of making sense of quantum mechanics. The article ends up embracing a Vedantic world view, for two reasons. For one, such a world view seems to the author to be the most sensible alternative to a materialistic one. For another, quantum mechanics is inconsistent with a materialistic world view but makes perfect sense within a Vedantic framework of thought.