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Relations (1)
related 3.00 — strongly supporting 7 facts
The relationship between consciousness and quantum state collapse is defined by various theoretical hypotheses, such as those proposed by Chalmers and McQueen [1], which suggest that consciousness may influence or cause the collapse of quantum states {fact:1, fact:2, fact:5}. These theories are debated within the context of free will and physicalism, with critics arguing that such influence is incompatible with the probabilistic nature of quantum mechanics [2].
Facts (7)
Sources
Non-physicalist Theories of Consciousness cambridge.org 7 facts
claimInteractionism that posits consciousness affects the physical world by influencing the outcome of quantum collapse strongly suggests libertarianism, because quantum collapse is an indeterministic process.
claimDerk Pereboom (1995) and Barbara Montero and David Papineau (2016) argue that the idea of consciousness influencing quantum collapse outcomes is incompatible with quantum mechanics because quantum mechanics fixes the probability of each outcome, whereas consciousness influencing the outcome would alter those probabilities.
claimLibertarians about free will, including Peter van Inwagen (1983), Robert Kane (1985), and Mark Balaguer (2009), have utilized the idea that consciousness influences quantum collapse to support their theories.
referenceDavid Chalmers and Kelvin McQueen (2022) proposed a scientifically grounded version of the hypothesis that consciousness causes quantum collapse, building on earlier work by Henry Stapp (1993).
claimThe hypothesis that consciousness causes quantum collapse without influencing the outcome avoids the problem of needing to explain how consciousness alters quantum probabilities.
claimThe hypothesis proposed by David Chalmers and Kelvin McQueen regarding consciousness and quantum collapse is empirically testable in principle, though it is not currently testable in practice.
claimA primary obstacle to the theory that non-physical consciousness influences quantum collapse is that microlevel indeterminism, such as an undetermined particle position, does not necessarily imply macrolevel indeterminism, such as the firing of a neuron.