Quantum Theories
Michael H Herzog, Aaron Schurger, Adrien Doerig
Cambridge University Press eBooks April 23, 2026 DOI: 10.1017/9781009244701.010 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Keywords | Consciousness Universe Reduction mathematics Quantum gravity Quantum field theory Theoretical physics Quantum mechanics |
| Key points | Argues that quantum theories of consciousness, specifically OrchOR, face unresolved challenges despite their proposal that proto-conscious events are universal and full consciousness is localized to microtubules. |
Abstract
All theories up to now relate consciousness to neural processes, circuits, etc. Quantum theories, such as orchestrated objective reduction (OrchOR), propose that proto-conscious events occur in the entire universe and full consciousness occurs only at the subcellular level in the microtubules of neurons. We outline challenges with this approach.