Thinking together quantum brain dynamics and postmodernism
Advances in Consciousness Research April 12, 2001 DOI: 10.1075/aicr.29.07glo (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Key points | Argues that quantum brain dynamics and postmodern philosophy, despite their different origins, converge in rejecting classical frameworks, and that integrating them—by replacing consciousness and a common world with existence and parallel world-thrownnesses—offers a way forward in the mind-brain debate. |
Abstract
I “think together” quantum brain dynamics (QBD) and postmodernism (appropriated to include Heidegger). In particular, the world thrownness of Heidegger, the sovereignty of Bataille and the differance of Derrida can be talked about in terms of QBD. This effects a rapprochement between the QBD revolution against classical neural network brain theory and the postmodern revolution against modernity and the metaphysical tradition. Such a grand millenial rapprochement brings together science in the guise of quantum neurophysics and postmodernism against their respective wills. Discussion of the problem of “consciousness” and brain has been so stalemated and seemingly interminable that if progress is to be made, a great conceptual wrenching is only to be expected. My formulation relinquishes consciousness and the quotidian world-in-common in favor of existence and parallel world-thrownnesses.