|
| related topics |
| {theory, mechanics, state} |
| {particle, mechanics, theory} |
| {measurement, state, measurements} |
| {time, decoherence, evolution} |
| {equation, function, exp} |
| {bell, inequality, local} |
| {let, theorem, proof} |
| {photon, photons, single} |
|
Consciousness and the Wigner's friend problem
Bernard d'Espagnat
abstract: It is generally agreed that decoherence theory is, if not a complete answer,
at least a great step forward towards a solution of the quantum measurement
problem. It is shown here however that in the cases in which a sentient being
is explicitly assumed to take cognizance of the outcome the reasons we have for
judging this way are not totally consistent, so that the question has to be
considered anew. It is pointed out that the way the Broglie-Bohm model solves
the riddle suggests a possible clue, consisting in assuming that even very
simple systems may have some sort of a proto-consciousness, but that their
``internal states of consciousness'' are not predictive. It is, next, easily
shown that if we imagine the systems get larger, in virtue of decoherence their
internal states of consciousness progressively gain in predictive value. So
that, for macro-systems, they may be identified (in practice) with the
predictive states of consciousness on which we ground our observational
predictions. The possibilities of carrying over this idea to standard quantum
mechanics are then investigated. Conditions of conceptual consistency are
considered and found rather strict, and, finally, two solutions emerge,
differing conceptually very much from one another but in both of which the,
possibly non-predictive, generalized internal states of consciousness play a
crucial role.
- oai_identifier:
- oai:arXiv.org:quant-ph/0402121
- categories:
- quant-ph
- doi:
- 10.1007/s10701-005-8656-1
- arxiv_id:
- quant-ph/0402121
- journal_ref:
- Foundations of Physics 35 (2005) 1943
- created:
- 2004-02-18
- updated:
- 2006-01-11
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