Consciousness as constrained superposition in a quantum network of mitochondria
Christian N. Kulenkampff
October 31, 2025 preprint DOI: 10.31234/osf.io/frket_v1 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper |
|---|---|
| Keywords | Consciousness Quantum entanglement Obfuscation Dissipative system Quantum computer Superposition principle Artificial neural network Theoretical computer science Theoretical physics Cognitive science Counterfactual thinking Artificial intelligence |
| Key points | Proposes that consciousness can be modeled as a quantum-entangled state shaped by neural constraints, with mitochondrial networks as a potential biological substrate. |
Abstract
This essay critiques computational theories of consciousness by highlighting an obfuscation paradox: if consciousness were the effect of a computable procedure, cryptographic obfuscation would imply that any causal sequence could instantiate it, undermining boundaries of experience. As an alternative, entanglement is posited as proto-mental and a speculative quantum-panprotopsychistic model of consciousness as “constrained superposition” is developed: a continuous dynamic quantum-entangled state shaped by constraints that emerge from neural activity. The model’s explanatory merits are explored, and a potential substrate, an open quantum dissipative network of mitochondria is proposed alongside an evolutionary rationale: ancestral mitochondria as energy parasites may have exploited entanglement as a game-theoretic edge for cooperative alignment, with subjective experience emerging from this quantum consensus. Although highly speculative, the framework yields testable predictions concerning mitochondrial network dynamics, perturbation sensitivity, and phenomenal experiences, and offers a biologically grounded architecture for unified experience.