Modes of experience in a superposed world

TL;DR

This paper introduces a framework to study different modes of experience in a superposed quantum world, comparing their longevity and potential evolutionary advantages.

Contribution

It proposes a novel framework for analyzing modes of experience in quantum superpositions, linking perceptual and decision-making processes with probabilistic rules.

Findings

Quantum mode without macroscopic superposition outlives the one with superposition.

Real amplitude modes have different longevity compared to complex amplitude modes.

Potential evolutionary advantages may explain the emergence of certain experience modes.

Abstract

A central open problem of quantum physics is to reconcile theory with experience. In this work I present a framework for studying distinct modes of experience in a superposed world. A modes of experience is characterized by how the world, experiences, and options relate to each other by the perceptions, decisions, and actions, as well as by probabilistic rules encoding probabilistic or deterministic correlations among first person experiences. In a toy model, the life expectancies of beings in different candidate modes of experience are compared. It is found that the quantum mode without macroscopic superposition outlives that with macroscopic superposition and that with real amplitudes. These highlight the prospect to explain a mode of experience by its evolutionary advantages.