The Physicist Inside the Ambiguous Room: an argument against the need of consciousness in quantum mechanical measurement process

TL;DR

This paper challenges the necessity of consciousness in quantum measurement by proposing a modified thought experiment, demonstrating that measurement can be explained without observer consciousness, supporting an objective interpretation of quantum mechanics.

Contribution

It introduces the 'PIAR' thought experiment, a novel modification that argues against consciousness being essential in quantum measurement processes.

Findings

Supports an interpretation of quantum mechanics independent of consciousness

Provides a logical critique of the consciousness-dependent measurement hypothesis

Proposes a complete, sealed-room experimental setup for measurement analysis

Abstract

This paper aims to invalidate the hypothesis that consciousness is necessary for the quantum measurement process. To achieve this target, I propose a considerable modification of the Schroedinger cat and the Dead-Alive Physicist thought experiments, called 'PIAR', short for Physicist Inside the Ambiguous Room. A specific strategy has enabled me to plan the experiment in such a way as to logically justify the inconsistency of the above hypothesis and to oblige its supporters to rely on an alternative interpretation of quantum mechanics in which the real-world phenomena exist independently of our conscious mind and where observers play no special role. Moreover, in my description, the measurement apparatus will be complete, in the sense that the experiment, given that it includes also the experimenter, will begin and end exclusively within a sealed room. Hence, my analysis provides a logical explanation of the relationship between the observer and the objects of her/his experimental observation; this and a few other implications are discussed in the fifth section and the conclusions.