Quantum mechanics needs no consciousness
S. Yu, D. Nikolić
Annalen der Physik November 4, 2011 DOI: 10.1002/andp.201100078 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Key points | Argues that the hypothesis linking human consciousness to wave function collapse yields testable predictions that existing experimental results appear to falsify, so the proposed consciousness-collapse link does not seem viable. The authors discuss implications for the observer's role in quantum mechanics and for quantum mechanics' role in consciousness. |
Abstract
Abstract: It has been suggested that consciousness plays an important role in quantum mechanics as it is necessary for the collapse of wave function during the measurement. Here we formulated several predictions that follow from this hypothetical relationship and that can be empirically tested. Experimental results that are already available suggest falsification of these predictions. Thus, the suggested link between human consciousness and collapse of wave function does not seem viable. We discuss the implications of these conclusions on the role of the human observer for quantum mechanics and on the role of quantum mechanics for the observer's consciousness.