Quantum Enigma: Physics Encounters ConsciousnessIn trying to understand the atom, physicists built quantum mechanics, the most successful theory in science and the basis of one-third of our economy. They found, to their embarrassment, that with their theory, physics encounters consciousness. Authors Bruce Rosenblum and Fred Kuttner explain all this in non-technical terms with help from some fanciful stories and anecdotes about the theory's developers. They present the quantum mystery honestly, emphasizing what is and what is not speculation. Quantum Enigma's description of the experimental quantum facts, and the quantum theory explaining them, is undisputed. Interpreting what it all means, however, is heatedly controversial. But every interpretation of quantum physics involves consciousness. Rosenblum and Kuttner therefore turn to exploring consciousness itself--and encounter quantum mechanics. Free will and anthropic principles become crucial issues, and the connection of consciousness with the cosmos suggested by some leading quantum cosmologists is mind-blowing. Readers are brought to a boundary where the particular expertise of physicists is no longer the only sure guide. They will find, instead, the facts and hints provided by quantum mechanics and the ability to speculate for themselves. In the few decades since the Bell's theorem experiments established the existence of entanglement (Einstein's "spooky action"), interest in the foundations, and the mysteries, of quantum mechanics has accelerated. In recent years, physicists, philosophers, computer engineers, and even biologists have expanded our realization of the significance of quantum phenomena. This second edition includes such advances. The authors have also drawn on many responses from readers and instructors to improve the clarity of the book's explanations. |
Contents
3 | |
A Quantum Parable | 11 |
A Universal Law of Motion | 21 |
4 All the Rest of Classical Physics | 39 |
5 How the Quantum Was Forced on Physics | 55 |
The New Universal Law of Motion | 73 |
The Observer Problem | 87 |
8 Our Skeleton in the Closet | 101 |
EPR | 155 |
Bells Theorem | 173 |
14 Experimental Metaphysics | 193 |
15 Whats Going On? Interpreting the Quantum Enigma | 203 |
16 The Mystery of Consciousness | 221 |
17 The Mystery Meets the Enigma | 237 |
18 Consciousness and the Quantum Cosmos | 257 |
Suggested Reading | 271 |
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Common terms and phrases
accept Alice and Bob Alice’s anthropic principle atom atom’s behavior Bell Bell’s inequality Bell’s theorem Big Bang big things Bob’s photon Bohr Bohr’s box pairs brain chapter claim classical physics collapse conscious observer Copenhagen interpretation counterfactual definiteness created decoherence demonstrate deny display Einstein electric electrons emitted encounter with consciousness energy entangled example existence experimental explain Figure force fotons frequency Galileo Geiger counter Heisenberg Here’s interference experiment interference pattern look macroscopic marble microscopic objects molecules motion mystery Newton Newtonian particles particular Path physical reality physically real physicists Planck planets polarization position practical purposes prediction principle probability problem quan quantum computers quantum enigma quantum experiment quantum mechanics quantum superposition quantum theory radiation reality and separability Schrödinger equation Schrödinger’s cat screen set of box simultaneously single box slit spooky actions spread-out story superposition tell theory’s tion today’s twin twin-state photons two-slit universe wave wavefunction waviness what’s worldview