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quantum superposition
Also known as: quantum superpositions, quantum superposition state
Facts (22)
Sources
Consciousness-Induced Quantum State Reduction - Nova Spivack novaspivack.com Jun 2, 2025 8 facts
claimQuantum superpositions become dynamically unstable in the presence of an observer-induced potential and preferentially evolve toward definite eigenstates.
formulaThe intrinsic geometric complexity of a quantum superposition state, Ω_quantum, is maximal for equal superpositions and minimal for definite states, with a proposed form related to the distinguishability of components defined as Ω_quantum ∝ -ln[|α|^4 + |β|^4].
claimNova Spivack proposes that the effective state reduction rate for a quantum superposition to reduce to an eigenstate under conscious observation is proportional to the observer's complexity and the energy scale of the superposition, and inversely proportional to fundamental constants and the consciousness emergence threshold.
claimNova Spivack proposes that 'attractive basins' in the combined Hilbert-information space, generated by the observer's consciousness complexity (Ω_obs), cause quantum superpositions to become dynamically unstable and evolve toward definite states.
claimThe evolution of quantum superpositions toward definite eigenstates is stochastic rather than deterministic, consistent with the probabilistic nature of quantum measurement.
referenceThe Schrödinger's Cat thought experiment, proposed by Erwin Schrödinger in 1935, highlights the apparent absurdity of extrapolating quantum superposition to macroscopic objects, resulting in a cat that is simultaneously alive and dead until observed.
formulaThe geometric complexity of the total observation process, denoted as Ω_interaction, is defined by the formula Ω_interaction = Ω_quantum + Ω_obs + Ω_coupling, where Ω_quantum represents the intrinsic geometric complexity of the quantum superposition, Ω_obs represents the geometric complexity of the conscious observer's information processing manifold, and Ω_coupling represents the interaction or entanglement between the quantum system and the observer's consciousness manifold.
claimThe stochastic evolution of quantum superpositions can be modeled using a stochastic Schrödinger equation where the geometric basin structure influences noise terms or collapse operators.
Quantum Models of Consciousness from a Quantum Information ... arxiv.org Dec 20, 2024 4 facts
claimThe Diósi–Penrose objective reduction theory proposes that the collapse of a quantum state is not solely caused by environmental interactions, but is inherently linked to the fundamental influence of space-time on quantum superposition.
formulaThe norm of coherence, a measure of quantum superposition in a state with respect to an orthogonal basis, is defined as the sum of the absolute values of the off-diagonal elements of the density matrix.
referenceO. Pusuluk proposed a biorthogonal resource theory of genuine quantum superposition in a 2024 arXiv preprint.
claimThe Orch OR theory hypothesizes that electrons may become delocalized to an extent that they form a network capable of sustaining quantum superposition long enough to influence conscious thought.
Quantum mechanics and the puzzle of human consciousness alleninstitute.org May 30, 2024 3 facts
claimChristof Koch and his research team propose that conscious experience arises whenever a quantum superposition forms, which is the opposite of the Penrose-Hameroff theory that consciousness arises from the collapse of a superposition.
claimChristof Koch states that his team's hypothesis—that consciousness arises when a quantum superposition forms—avoids the possibility of faster-than-light travel implied by the original Penrose-Hameroff theory.
claimRoger Penrose, a Nobel Prize-winning cosmologist, has suggested that each collapse of a quantum superposition creates a moment of 'proto-consciousness.'
Quantum Approaches to Consciousness plato.stanford.edu Nov 30, 2004 2 facts
claimEntanglement is always co-addressed when state reduction is discussed because entangled systems remain in a quantum superposition until a measurement occurs.
claimSchwartz et al. (2005) outlined some indications regarding how quantum superpositions and their collapses might occur in neural correlates of conscious events.
Quantum Theory of Consciousness - Scirp.org. scirp.org 1 fact
claimRoger Penrose and Stuart Hameroff propose that the self-collapse or 'objective reduction' of quantum superposition states serves as the non-computable source for consciousness.
Quantum Approaches to Consciousness plato.stanford.edu Nov 30, 2004 1 fact
claimEntangled systems remain in a quantum superposition as long as no measurement has occurred, which is why entanglement is co-addressed when state reduction is discussed.
Panpsychism - Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy plato.stanford.edu Jul 18, 2017 1 fact
perspectivePanpsychists argue that a theory's lack of fit with human intuition is not a sufficient reason to doubt its truth, citing counterintuitive scientific theories like evolution (common ancestry with apes), time dilation, and quantum superposition as examples that are accepted despite their strangeness.
Critique of Panpsychism: Philosophical Coherence and Scientific ... thequran.love May 7, 2025 1 fact
perspectivePanpsychists argue that intuition is an unreliable guide to truth at the frontiers of knowledge, noting that scientific concepts like space-time curvature and quantum superposition were once considered counterintuitive or 'crazy'.
Panpsychism - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org 1 fact
claimIn quantum mechanics, atoms and photons exist in a state of quantum superposition, meaning they occupy multiple contradictory states or locations simultaneously, until they are measured.