The Cogiton Hypothesis: An Exploratory Quantum-Gravitational Model of Consciousness
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AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper |
|---|---|
| Key points | Proposes that consciousness emerges from ultra-light "cogitons" (mass ~10^-37 kg) tied to microtubule quantum states, with apparent superluminal behavior via quantum tunneling that the authors argue does not violate relativistic causality or permit superluminal information transfer. The authors offer testable predictions from quantum coherence and neural timing experiments and explore gravitational decoherence as a mechanism, while describing the hypothesis as speculative. |
Abstract
The Cogiton Hypothesis proposes that human consciousness emerges from ultra-light particles, termed "cogitons," with a mass of approximately 10^-37 kg, derived from neural energy scales. These particles exhibit apparent superluminal behavior, wherein quantum tunneling effects may allow transitions exceeding c without violating relativistic causality or enabling superluminal information transfer. Drawing on loop quantum gravity (LQG), string theory, and the Orchestrated Objective Reduction (Orch-OR) theory, this model posits cogitons as excitations of a hypothetical field tied to microtubule quantum states. We propose testable predictions via quantum coherence and neural timing experiments and explore gravitational decoherence as a potential mechanism. Though speculative, this hypothesis bridges physics and neuroscience to probe consciousness as a quantum-gravitational phenomenon.