We present a model of a fundamental property of consciousness as the capacity of a system to opt among presented alternatives. Any system possessing this capacity is “conscious” in some degree, whether or not it has the higher capacity of reflecting on its opting. We argue that quantum systems, composed of microphysical particles, as studied by quantum mechanics, possess this quality in a protomental form. That is, such particles display the capacity to opt among alternatives, even though they lack the ability to experience or communicate their experiences. Human consciousness stands at the opposite end of the hierarchy of conscious life forms as the most sophisticated system of which we have direct acquaintance. We contend that it shares the common characteristic of a system capable of opting among alternatives. Because the fundamental property of consciousness is shared by human beings and the constituents of elementary matter in the universe, our model of consciousness can be considered as a modified form of panpsychism.
We present a model of a fundamental property of consciousness as the capacity of a system to opt among presented alternatives. Any system possessing this capacity is “conscious” in some degree, whether or not it has the higher capacity of reflecting on its opting. We argue that quantum systems, composed of microphysical particles, as studied by quantum mechanics, possess this quality in a protomental form. That is, such particles display the capacity to opt among alternatives, even though they lack the ability to experience or communicate their experiences. Human consciousness stands at the opposite end of the hierarchy of conscious life forms as the most sophisticated system of which we have direct acquaintance. We contend that it shares the common characteristic of a system capable of opting among alternatives. Because the fundamental property of consciousness is shared by human beings and the constituents of elementary matter in the universe, our model of consciousness can be considered as a modified form of panpsychism.
As first, a mechanism how quantum coherence in the brain can last long enough is shown. This mechanism is based on very light elementary particles. Then the arguments follow as why consciousness should be a quantum phenomenon and how such an introduction of quantum consciousness modifies the formalism of quantum mechanics. This can also be tested by an experiment. Without use of quantum mechanics it is shown how to atomize consciousness and how to explain the Libet experiment, and why a location of feeling of consciousness is an important paradox. It is also shown that panpsychism is an answer to many questions about consciousness. The author claims that consciousness is physically so fundamental that it is not a result of some complex phenomena, but it is so fundamental as quantum physics and space-time.
A physical model for phenomenological proto-consciousness as an intrinsic, primary property of matter is introduced. A fundamental particle is characterized as a classic-like system in physical space supplemented with an information space that endows the particle with the capacity of storing and processing incoming information which has causal power on the behaviour of the particle. These features transform the postulated initial random particles into information-theoretic Darwinian physical systems controlled by algorithms susceptible of evolution under natural selection. Consciousness is then defined as the elementary microscopic sentient process of subjectively experiencing a representation of the locations of the surrounding systems that is induced on matter by the irreversible erasure of dynamically superfluous stored information when the particle is measured. A physical description of the possible emergence of both quantum behaviour of matter in accordance with the conventional quantum formalism and consciousness in complex biological systems as a quantum coherence phenomenon is explored.
In previous papers, we demonstrated that an ontology of quantum mechanics, described in terms of states and events with internal phenomenal aspects (a form of panprotopsychism), is well suited to explain consciousness. We showed that the combination problems of qualities, structures and subjects in panpsychism and panprotopsychism stem from implicit hypotheses based on classical physics regarding supervenience, which are not applicable at the quantum level. Within this view, consciousness arises in entangled quantum systems coupled to the neural network of the brain. In entangled systems, the properties of individual parts disappear, giving rise to an exponential number of emergent properties and states. Here, we analyze self-consciousness as the capacity to view oneself as a subject of experience. The causal openness of quantum systems provides self-conscious beings the ability to make independent choices and decisions, reflecting a sense of self-governance and autonomy. In this context, the issue of personal identity takes a new form free from the problems of the simple view or the reductive approaches.
We analyze the results and implications of the combination of quantum and consciousness in terms of the recent QSC analysis. The quantum effect of consciousness is first explored. We show that the consciousness of the observer can help to distinguish the nonorthogonal states under some condition, while the usual physical measuring device without consciousness can’t. The result indicates that the causal efficacies of consciousness do exist when considering the basic quantum process. Based on this conclusion, we demonstrate that consciousness is not reducible or emergent, but a new fundamental property of matter. This provides a quantum basis for panpsychism. Furthermore, we argue that the conscious process is one kind of quantum computation process based on the analysis of consciousness time and combination problem. It is shown that a unified theory of matter and consciousness should include two parts: one is the complete quantum evolution of matter state, which includes the definite nonlinear evolution element introduced by consciousness, and the other is the psychophysical principle or corresponding principle between conscious content and matter state. Lastly, some experimental suggestions are presented to confirm the theoretical analysis of the paper. Key words: quantum process, consciousness, distinguish the nonorthogonal states, causal efficacies of consciousness, fundamental property of matter, panpsychism, quantum computation, definite
We discuss mathematical models describing the action of consciousness and super-consciousness as these phenomena are defined in the Extended Everett's Concept (EEC) proposed by the author. According to the Everett's interpretation of quantum mechanics, the state of the quantum world is a superposition of various classical pictures of the world (classical realities, or alternatives). Humans, due to their ability called consciousness, perceive the alternatives separately: all alternatives are perceived, but subjectively perceiving one of them is accompanied by the sensation of the remaining alternatives as if being invisible. This causes the impression that only one of the alternatives really exists, but this is an illusion of consciousness. When consciousness (separating the alternatives) is turned off (in sleep, trance or meditation) or weakened, another ability arises called super-consciousness. Due to super-consciousness, the human gets access to the set of all alternative realities taken as a whole, selects those alternatives that are favorable, and ensures that just these selected alternatives are experienced after consciousness is turned on again. Thus, EEC explains, on the basis of quantum mechanics, those features of consciousness which are usually treated as mystical. It is shown in the paper how these features of consciousness and super-consciousness can be presented by simple mathematical models.
One of the challenges of materialism is explaining how phenomenal consciousness emerges from physicality. The theory of panpsychism has been proposed to answer this question by suggesting that consciousness is ubiquitous within the Universe, that the Universe is a mental construct, and that even the atoms and sub-atomical particles manifest a rudimentary form of consciousness or proto-consciousness. If panpsychism or one of its derivatives is true, then evidence of consciousness must exist within simple quantum mechanical atomic structures like the hydrogen atom, which expresses wave/particle duality. Furthermore, it is likely within the wave state that rudimentary consciousness resides. Significantly, if the concept of wave/particle duality is then applied to human consciousness, that our consciousness expresses both a particle state and wave state, then through its ripple effect and quantum entanglement, anomalous psycho-spiritual human experiences that hitherto cannot be explained in terms of physicalism can now be better understood. There is no need for new physics; we only need to reframe what we already know.