New Physics for the Orch-OR Consciousness Proposal
Consciousness and Quantum Mechanics July 18, 2022 DOI: 10.1093/oso/9780197501665.003.0014 (opens in new tab)
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractConscious understanding is a non-computational process requiring a physical basis beyond current theory, specifically gravitational effects on quantum mechanics that cause wave-function collapse (OR). These OR events allow classical reality to emerge from quantum reality, and when orchestrated, they become conscious processes (Orch-OR). Relativity theory implies OR has retro-active effects, explaining how conscious decisions can act within fractions of a second, contradicting experiments suggesting such acts are unconscious. This also accounts for puzzling effects found by Benjamin Libet in the 1970s.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Key finding | Argues that conscious understanding arises from non-computational, gravitation-induced collapse of the wave function (Orch-OR), which can have retroactive effects that reconcile conscious decision timing with experimental findings. |
Abstract
Abstract The human ability to achieve conscious understanding is argued to be a non-computational process. For this to be in accordance with physical laws requires something beyond current physical theory, in supplying a physical basis for “the collapse of the wave function”, demoted OR. This is argued to be an effect of gravitation on quantum mechanics. OR events are what allow a firm classical reality to arise from a quantum reality having a somewhat weaker ontological status. When appropriately orchestrated, these “proto-conscious” OR events become genuine conscious processes according to the Orch-OR proposal. From the principles of relativity theory, it can be deduced that OR, and therefore Orch-OR, can have a certain “retro-active” effect, which can explain how conscious decisions can act within a very small fraction of a second, in contradiction with a conclusion frequently made, on the basis of various experiments, that such acts must be necessarily unconscious. Also, it provides an explanation for some puzzling related effects found by Benjamin Libet in the 1970s.