Quantum Physics of Consciousness

by Subhash Kak (Editor), Bruce Rosenblum, Fred Kuttner

The Quantum Physics of the Mind, Explained.Table of Contents1. The Universe, Quantum Physics, and Consciousness. Subhash Kak, Head, Department of Computer Science, Oklahoma State University, Oklahoma.2. Quantum Reality and Mind. Henry P. Stapp, Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory, University of California, Berkeley, California.3. Cosmos and Quantum: Frontiers for the Future. Menas Kafatos, Schmid College of Science, Chapman University.4. Neoclassical Cosmology and Menas Kafatos's "Cosmos and Quantum: Frontiers for the Future" Theodore Walker Jr., Southern Methodist University, Perkins School of Theology, Dallas, Texas, USA.5. Can Discoverability Help Us Understand Cosmology? Nicholas Beale, Director of Sciteb: One Heddon Street, London.6. On Meaning, Consciousness and Quantum Physics. Yair Neuman, and Boaz Tamir, Office for Interdisciplinary Research Ben-Gurion University of the Negev; Israel Institute for Advanced Research Rehovot, Israel.7. Quantum Reality and Evolution Theory. Lothar Sch fer, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Arkansas.8. Four Perspectives on Consciousness. Varadaraja V. Raman, Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, NY.9. Synchronicity, Quantum Information and the Psyche. Francois Martin, Ph.D., Federico Carminati, , Giuliana Galli Carminati, Laboratoire de Physique Theorique et Hautes Energies, Universities Paris. Department of Physics, CERN, Geneva, Switzerland. Department of Psychiatry, University Hospitals of Geneva, Switzerland.10. Speculations about the Direct Effects of Intention on Physical Manifestation. Imants Baru s, Department of Psychology, King's University College at The University of Western Ontario.11. Consciousness and Quantum Measurement: New Empirical Data. York H. Dobyns, Department of Electrical Engineering, Engineering Quadrangle, Princeton University, Princeton.12. Consciousness and Quantum Physics: A Deconstruction of the Topic Gordon 1Globus, Professor Emeritus of Psychiatry and Philosophy, University of California.13. Logic of Quantum Mechanics and Phenomenon of Consciousness Michael B. Mensky, P.N. Lebedev Physical Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow.14. A Quantum Physical Effect of Consciousness Shan Gao, Unit for HPS & Centre for Time, SOPHI, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia15. The Conscious Observer in the Quantum Experiment Fred Kuttner and Bruce Rosenblum, Physics Department, University of California, Santa Cruz.16. Does Quantum Mechanics Require A Conscious Observer? Michael Nauenberg, Physics Dept. University of Califonia Santa Cruz.17. Consciousness Vectors Steven Bodovitz, BioPerspectives, San Francisco, CA.18. Quantum Physics, Advanced Waves and Consciousness Antonella Vannini and Ulisse Di Corpo, Lungotevere degli Artigiani, Rome, Italy.19. The Quantum Hologram And the Nature of Consciousness Edgar D. Mitchell and Robert Staretz20. Consciousness in the Universe: Neuroscience, Quantum Space-Time Geometry. Sir Roger Penrose, Stuart Hamerof21. Quantum Physics and the Multiplicity of Mind: Split-Brains, Fragmented Minds, Dissociation, Quantum Consciousness. R. Joseph, Twenty-one Conscious Raising Articles, 300 Mind Expanding Pages, from the Top Experts in the World, Peer Reviewed, and Originally Published in Journal of Cosmology.

Genres: Science, Philosophy, Physics, Psychology, Nonfiction

320 pages, Paperback

First published September 7, 2011

About the author

Subhash Kak is an Indian American computer scientist. He is Regents Professor and a previous Head of Computer Science Department at Oklahoma State University–Stillwater who has made contributions to cryptography, artificial neural networks, and quantum information.

Kak is also notable for his Indological publications on the history of science, the philosophy of science, ancient astronomy, and the history of mathematics. Alan Sokal labeled Kak "one of the leading intellectual luminaries of the Hindu-nationalist diaspora."

Reviews

[William Adams · Rating 2 out of 5]

These 22 articles by scientists and philosophers provide an overview into a particular niche of “consciousness studies.”

The best paper is by Hameroff and Penrose, authors of the Orch-OR theory of quantum consciousness, which claims that quantum decoherence takes place within the microtubules found in the cytoplasm of cells, producing consciousness. Having heard and read about this theory many times in connection with the “Toward a Science of Consciousness” meetings, I was familiar with it, but this was the first time I have seen it spelled out in detail. I understand now the basis for the hypothesis that microtubules might form the “hardware” for implementation of a kind of quantum computation. The arguments and evidence are within the realm of generous plausibility. However, there is no explanation of why the resolution of a quantum superposition would, could, or should result in any kind of conscious experience. That crucial leap remains as magical as it ever was.

Many papers have worthwhile insights, though none come remotely close to addressing the problem of mind-world interactionism, the “hard problem” of consciousness. Some of the papers seem incredibly naïve, barely aware of the philosophical problems surrounding them. Others have such unlikely basic assumptions that they end up being unintentionally humorous.

Many papers take a very narrow view of quantum theory but act as if it were received wisdom. John von Neumann’s idiosyncratic interpretation is especially popular among such theorists. David Bohm’s is another. Michael Nauenberg’s bracing paper questions the premise that a conscious observer is necessary at all to account for quantum effects. It’s a much-needed antidote for the “quantum consciousness” Kool-aide.

Despite wide variance in quality of these articles, the book is cheap enough for the curious to take a look. Thoughtful articles by Henry Stapp, Imants Baruss, Gordon Globus, and others contain ideas well-stated enough so that even if you disagree, you come out with your thinking clarified.

Kak, Subash; Penrose, Roger; & Hameroff, Stuart (Eds.) (2009/2017). Quantum Physics of Consciousness: 2d Edition. Cambridge, MA: Cosmology Science Publishers, 319 pp.

[James Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enlightening presentation of the abnormal realities of our universe

Quantum phenomena seems to be, by very nature, a transcendental bridge between the façade that is our normal macroscopic reality and realms shrouded in mysticism. This collection of essays, with careful, meticulous, tugs of specific terms, has the ability to unravel the very fabric in which oneself is anchored to.

[Robert Kroese · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book while doing research for my own “quantum physics noir thriller,” Schrodinger’s Gat. I thoroughly enjoyed Quantum Enigma, written by a couple of the contributors to this book, so I had high hopes. The essays in this book are all over the place, both in terms of subject matter and quality. Some of them are well-written and logically rigorous but only tangentially related to the matter of consciousness (or so complex that only a physicist or mathematician could follow it), and others are the sort of quantum claptrap you’d expect from the likes of Deepak Chopra. There’s some interesting stuff in here, but you’ve got to pick and choose. There aren’t a lot of books out there that deal seriously with this subject, and I appreciate the effort that went into this anthology, but the editor really should have kept a tighter rein on things.

[Steven Dunn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great discussions!