Contemporary Echoes of the World Soul
World Soul July 22, 2021 DOI: 10.1093/oso/9780190913441.003.0017 (opens in new tab)
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractQuantum mechanics challenges classical ideas about the observer and the whole-part relationship, leading some to propose it can illuminate the mind-body problem, especially via panpsychism. This chapter first outlines panpsychism, then examines key features of quantum theories and how the main quantum theories of consciousness employ those features to explain conscious experience.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Key finding | Argues that while quantum mechanics has been claimed to offer a unique way to understand the mind-body relation and support panpsychism, the chapter critically evaluates how quantum theories of consciousness use quantum features to account for conscious experience. |
Abstract
Quantum mechanics is a groundbreaking theory: it not only is extraordinarily empirically adequate but also is claimed to having shattered the classical paradigm of understanding the observer-observed distinction as well as the part-whole relation. This, together with other quantum features, has been taken to suggest that quantum theory can help one understand the mind-body relation in a unique way, in particular to solve the hard problem of consciousness along the lines of panpsychism. In this chapter, after having briefly presented panpsychism, Valia Allori discusses the main features of quantum theories and the way in which the main quantum theories of consciousness use them to account for conscious experience.