What are quantum theorists doing at a conference on consciousness?
Euan Squires

TL;DR
This paper explores the role of consciousness in orthodox quantum theory, discussing how it influences the experienced world and suggesting it acts non-locally, with implications for understanding quantum mechanics and consciousness.
Contribution
It provides a detailed explanation of why consciousness is invoked in quantum theory and proposes a non-local role for consciousness in the quantum framework.
Findings
Consciousness influences the experienced world in quantum theory.
The Born probability rule can be derived through various procedures.
Consciousness is argued to act non-locally in quantum mechanics.
Abstract
The reason why orthodox quantum theory necessarily invokes consciousness is explained. Several procedures whereby the Born probability rule can be introduced are discussed, and reasons are given for prefering one in which consciousness selects a unique realised world. Consciousness is something outside of the laws of physics (quantum mechanics), but it has a real effect upon the experienced world. Finally, orthodox quantum theory is shown to require that consciousness acts non-locally.
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Taxonomy
TopicsQuantum Mechanics and Applications · Philosophy and History of Science · Quantum Information and Cryptography
