QM and mental states,sure this isn’t philosophical discussion

In summary, various people, such as VN and Wigner, believe that quantum mechanics is connected to mental states. Decoherence was introduced to remove consciousness from the realm, but even its creator, Zurek, acknowledges that there is still a fundamental problem with why we only perceive one state. Many quantum researchers and philosophers have published papers showing that mental states must be included in quantum physics, and there have been discussions on the mind-body relationship in different interpretations. Some people acknowledge that there is a problem, but it does not hinder the development of physics as it is currently unfalsifiable. There are several books available discussing the intersection of quantum mechanics and consciousness, but it is important to note that some of these authors have connections to pop science
  • #1
Adrian Lee
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Various people like VN,Wigner thinks QM links to mental states,we know that.
People introduced decoherence to kick consciousness out of the realm,as we widely accept.But even Zurek himself admits that there is a fundamental problem of why we only perceive one state and that solving the problem needs a full mind-body model.(which is why there’s many minds.)
Tons of quantum researchers and philosophers writes papers published on journals showing that quantum physics must include mental states.And discussions on mind-body relationships in different interpretations as well.
Some people admits that there is some problem going on here, but it does not stop physics from developing because it is currently not falsifiable.
 
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  • #3
Decoherence does not solve the measurement problem, nor does it create classical probabilities from quantum ones. See, for eg 'Quantum Enigma'. Decoherence is the entanglement of the macroscopic apparatus with the environment, which, in principle, is quantum mechanical in nature. We all know that when two quantum systems meet, they become entangled. Nothing about wave function collapse occurs. plane @ simple

"The doctrine that the world is made up of objects whose existence is independent of human consciousness turns out to be in conflict with quantum mechanics and with facts established by experiment." - Bernard d'Espagnat (a view which he held until his death)
 
  • #4
Adrian Lee said:
Various people like VN,Wigner thinks QM links to mental states,we know that.
People introduced decoherence to kick consciousness out of the realm,as we widely accept.But even Zurek himself admits that there is a fundamental problem of why we only perceive one state and that solving the problem needs a full mind-body model.(which is why there’s many minds.)
Tons of quantum researchers and philosophers writes papers published on journals showing that quantum physics must include mental states.And discussions on mind-body relationships in different interpretations as well.
Some people admits that there is some problem going on here, but it does not stop physics from developing because it is currently not falsifiable.
The thread is for discussing the necessity ,without personal perspective,of including mind-body discussions into QM .
For instance see https://doi.org/10.1007/s11229-019-02101-3
 
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The fact that this is the QM interpretations forum does not mean we can discuss pop science references. Nor does it mean we can discuss philosophy or metaphysics. @Adrian Lee, if you have a question about QM interpretations, you can post it in a new thread. If you have a question about some interpretation that postulates that "QM links to mental states", and you can find a valid reference discussing it, you can post that in a new thread.

This thread is closed.
 

1. What is QM and how does it relate to mental states?

QM stands for quantum mechanics, which is the branch of physics that studies the behavior of particles at the smallest scales. It is often used to explain how particles and atoms behave, and how they interact with each other. QM can also help us understand the connection between the physical world and mental states, as it suggests that our thoughts and perceptions are influenced by the underlying quantum processes in our brains.

2. Can QM explain consciousness and the mind?

While QM offers some insights into the workings of the brain, it is not yet capable of fully explaining consciousness and the mind. The nature of consciousness is still a mystery, and it is a complex phenomenon that cannot be fully understood by any single scientific theory or approach.

3. How does QM differ from classical physics?

Classical physics is based on the laws of classical mechanics, which describe the behavior of large objects and systems. QM, on the other hand, deals with the behavior of particles at the atomic and subatomic level. QM also introduces the concept of probability, which is not present in classical physics.

4. Are there any practical applications of QM in understanding mental states?

There are ongoing research efforts to apply QM principles to understanding mental states and cognitive processes. For example, some scientists are exploring the possibility of using quantum computers to model and simulate brain functions. However, these applications are still in their early stages and much more research is needed.

5. How does the observer effect in QM relate to our perception of reality?

The observer effect in QM refers to how the act of observing a particle can change its behavior. This can be seen as a parallel to how our perceptions and thoughts can shape our understanding of reality. Our observations and interpretations of the world around us are influenced by our mental states, and can therefore affect our perception of reality.

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