Consciousness, Quantum Mechanics, and the Limits of Scientific Objectivism

TL;DR

This paper explores how consciousness and quantum mechanics challenge classical scientific objectivism, proposing three non-objectivist perspectives and analyzing their strengths and weaknesses.

Contribution

It highlights a less discussed parallel between consciousness and quantum mechanics in challenging the traditional objectivist worldview, and maps three non-objectivist responses.

Findings

Consciousness and quantum mechanics both challenge classical objectivism.

Three non-objectivist responses are identified: relationalist, fragmentalist, many-subjective-worlds.

The paper discusses the advantages and disadvantages of each response.

Abstract

Consciousness and quantum mechanics are among the most puzzling phenomena studied in the sciences. Some scholars suggest they are related, though others think this claim commits a "minimization of mystery" fallacy. The aim of this programmatic paper is to draw attention to a less widely discussed parallel between consciousness and quantum mechanics: both challenge the classical objectivist worldview of science. Under certain assumptions, they are each in tension with a package of metaphysical theses -- "non-relationalism", "non-fragmentation", and "one world" -- that jointly make up that worldview. This points to three distinct non-objectivist responses: the "relationalist", "fragmentalist", and "many-subjective-worlds" ones. We will map out their pros and cons.