Consciousness and the Laws of Physics
S. Carroll
Journal of Consciousness Studies 2021 DOI: 10.53765/20512201.28.9.016 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Key points | Argues that current knowledge of physics should make one sceptical of hypothetical modifications to known physical laws, and that without such modifications it is hard to imagine intrinsically mental aspects of fundamental ontology playing a useful explanatory role for consciousness. |
Abstract
We have a much better understanding of the dynamics and ontology of physics than we do of consciousness. I consider ways in which intrinsically mental aspects of fundamental ontology might induce modifications of the known laws of physics, or whether they could be relevant to accounting for consciousness if no such modifications exist. I suggest that our current knowledge of physics should make us sceptical of hypothetical modifications of the known rules, and that without such modifications it's hard to imagine how intrinsically mental aspects could play a useful explanatory role.
Citations in the library
Cited by 9
- A landscape of consciousness: Toward a taxonomy of explanations and implications. Progress in Biophysics and Molecular Biology August 1, 2024
- A Relativistic Theory of Consciousness. Frontiers in Psychology 2021
- The Interaction Problem and Mental Causation: A Quantum Field Theoretical Perspective Qeios October 25, 2025
- Assessment of Physical Processes for Describing Mechanism of Occurrence and Measurement of Consciousness Journal of Artificial Intelligence and Consciousness October 27, 2024
- Dualism, the Causal Closure of the Physical, and Philip Goff’s Case for Panpsychism Metaphysica January 24, 2024
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