A physical approach to qualia and the emergence of conscious observers in qualia space

Qualia, the subjective qualities of conscious experience, are physical because they are directly observable. The measurement problem in quantum mechanics and the hard problem of consciousness are the same problem. Physical measurements are fundamental, analogous to Wheeler's 'it from bit' idea. A mathematical definition of measurement space in physics is reinterpreted as a model of qualia. This panpsychist framework offers potential solutions to the combination problem—how micro-consciousnesses combine into macro-consciousness. The mathematical structure of measurement spaces, taken for granted in physics, requires justification for qualia, suggesting that the apparent solidity of physical reality is deeply rooted in how humans process information.

Study at a glance

Abstract

I propose that qualia are physical because they are directly observable, and revisit the contentious link between consciousness and quantum measurements from a new perspective -- one that does not rely on observers or wave function collapse but instead treats physical measurements as fundamental in a sense resonant with Wheeler's it-from-bit. Building on a mathematical definition of measurement space in physics, I reinterpret it as a model of qualia, effectively equating the measurement problem of quantum mechanics with the hard problem of consciousness. The resulting framework falls within panpsychism, and offers potential solutions to the combination problem. Moreover, some of the mathematical structure of measurement spaces, taken for granted in physics, needs justification for qualia, suggesting that the apparent solidity of physical reality is deeply rooted in how humans process information.