Quantum Approaches to Consciousness

1. Introduction The problem of how mind and matter are related to each other has many facets, and it can be approached from many different starting points. Of course, the historically leading disciplines in this respect are philosophy and psychology, which were later joined by behavioral science, cognitive science and neuroscience. As regards the issue of complexity, this is quite evident: the brain is one of the most complex systems we know. The original motivation in the early 20th century for relating quantum theory to consciousness was essentially philosophical. Quantum theory introduced an element of randomness standing out against the previous deterministic worldview, in which randomness, if it occurred at all, simply indicated our ignorance of a more detailed description (as in statistical physics). Other features of quantum theory, which were found attractive in discussing issues of consciousness, were the concepts of complementarity and entanglement. 2. [ma] [me] 3. 4. 5.

Quantum mind The quantum mind or quantum consciousness hypothesis proposes that classical mechanics cannot explain consciousness, while quantum mechanical phenomena, such as quantum entanglement and superposition, may play an important part in the brain's function, and could form the basis of an explanation of consciousness. It is not one theory, but a collection of distinct ideas described below. A few theoretical physicists have argued that classical physics is intrinsically incapable of explaining the holistic aspects of consciousness, whereas quantum mechanics can. The idea that quantum theory has something to do with the workings of the mind go back to Eugene Wigner, who assumed that the wave function collapses due to its interaction with consciousness. The philosopher David Chalmers has argued against quantum consciousness. Description of main quantum mind approaches[edit] David Bohm[edit] In trying to describe the nature of consciousness, Bohm discusses the experience of listening to music.

être et conscience Quand on n'attend rien, on peut être soi-même. C'est notre voie, vivre pleinement chaque instant. Quand vous vivez complètement chaque instant sans rien attendre, vous n'avez aucune notion du temps. Quand vous êtes prisonnier d'une idée du temps - aujourd'hui, demain, l'année prochaine - votre pratique devient égoïste. Des désirs variés se mettent à vous tirailler en tous sens.