Interpretations of QP: How Can Consciousness Be Eliminated from Any System?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around interpretations of quantum physics (QP) and the role of consciousness in quantum mechanics (QM). Participants explore whether consciousness is essential to the understanding of quantum phenomena, the implications of various interpretations, and the historical context of these ideas.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions if the conscious observer is crucial to reality and suggests that consciousness cannot be eliminated from any system, as it is integral to the observation process.
  • Another participant argues that the necessity for a conscious observer in quantum mechanics has been largely dismissed and is considered misleading in modern interpretations.
  • Some participants note that while the Copenhagen interpretation acknowledges wave function collapse, it does not require a conscious observer for this process to occur.
  • There is a discussion about the distinction between "observation" and "interaction," with some suggesting that interactions can occur without a conscious observer.
  • Concerns are raised about how to understand events in an "unconscious universe," questioning the implications of consciousness on reality.
  • References to literature on consciousness in quantum mechanics are provided, indicating ongoing interest in the topic.
  • Clarifications are made regarding the terms quantum physics and quantum mechanics, asserting they refer to the same field.
  • Practical applications of quantum mechanics are mentioned, including technologies like lasers and MRI machines.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express multiple competing views regarding the role of consciousness in quantum mechanics, with no consensus reached on whether it is essential or merely a byproduct of observation.

Contextual Notes

Some participants highlight that interpretations of quantum mechanics can yield the same experimental results, suggesting that philosophical considerations may not impact practical applications. Additionally, there are references to historical perspectives and evolving interpretations over time.

  • #31
Pete Hammand said:
Hello everybody, I am new to these forums, and am curious to hear from people who know QP what in their opinion, is the best interpretation?
The best "interpretation" is to just view quantum mechanics as a generalization of probability theory. Classical probability theories assign sizes to elements of a sigma algebra. Sigma algebras are lattices. Quantum theories assign sizes to elements of a lattice that isn't a sigma algebra. Because of this, QM isn't probability theory in the classical sense, but a generalization of it.

I put "interpretation" in quotes, because this isn't an interpretation in the usual sense. It's not an attempt to explain "what's really happening". It's just the realization that we don't need to do that, and that even if there is such an explanation, there's no reason to think that it's present inside QM.

Pete Hammand said:
For example, is it a possibility that the conscious observer is indeed crucial to reality, and is the missing link in QP??
Consciousness isn't crucial to reality, but is crucial to science. A statement about the real world must be falsifiable to be considered a theory. To be falsifiable, it must make predictions about results of experiments. A result is one of several possible final states (of an indicator component of a measuring device) that can be easily distinguished by a conscious human. This is why you can't completely eliminate consciousness from discussions of QM. It's not because consciousness requires special physics. It's because QM is science, and science involves consciousness.
 
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