The Completeness of Quantum Mechanics and the Determinateness and Consistency of Intersubjective Experience
Michael Silberstein, William Stuckey
Consciousness and Quantum Mechanics July 18, 2022 DOI: 10.1093/oso/9780197501665.003.0011 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Key points | Argues that a realist psi-epistemic interpretation of quantum mechanics, coupled with neutral monism, can save the absoluteness of observed events and the completeness of quantum mechanics without giving up free will or locality. The authors claim this framework eliminates the measurement problem and the hard problem of consciousness by rejecting assumptions they say inexorably lead to those problems. |
Abstract
Abstract: Recent experiments (gedanken or otherwise) and theorems in quantum mechanics (QM) have led many people to claim that QM is not compatible with determinate and intersubjectively consistent experience, what some call the “absoluteness” of observed events; examples include new iterations on Wigner’s friend and delayed choice. Herein we provide a realist psi-epistemic take on QM that saves the absoluteness of observed events and the completeness of QM, without giving up free will or locality. We also show how our realist psi-epistemic account eliminates the measurement problem and, coupled with our take on neutral monism, also eliminates the hard problem of consciousness. On our view there is no need for conscious experience to explain measurement collapse nor any need for measurement collapse to resolve the hard problem. The key here is to reject the unquestioned assumptions that inexorably lead to the measurement problem and the hard problem. This will require a reconception of QM and, a reconception of matter, conscious experience and their relationship to one another.