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Observer as Consciousness (?): Quantum Mechanics & von Neumann Chain

Michele Caponigro

Published Dec 17, 2017• 0 citations
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Abstract

We debate, from conceptual point of view, the relationship between the role of observer in quantum mechanics and the von Neumann Chain. Subject and object are only in a relation, in a totally entangled Gestalt. The measurement seen as interaction is such a Gestalt, but not meaning that observer and object enter in relation, but that the relation founds relate and correlate. What it is this relation in the measurement? The totality of the experimental arrangement which permits speaking of measurement. A totality which lives in our perception and is made of perceiving devices and tools of measurement.

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We debate, from conceptual point of view, the relationship between the role of observer in quantum mechanics and the von Neumann Chain. Subject and object are only in a relation, in a totally entangled Gestalt. The measurement seen as interaction is such a Gestalt, but not meaning that observer and object enter in relation, but that the relation founds relate and correlate. What it is this relation in the measurement? The totality of the experimental arrangement which permits speaking of measurement. A totality which lives in our perception and is made of perceiving devices and tools of measurement.
In quantum theory as it is currently formulated the measurement of an observable quantity of a physical system is the occasion for a change of state of the system, except when the state prior to the measurement is an eigenstate of the observable. Two proposals for interpreting this kind of change are examined in detail, and several variant proposals are considered briefly. According to the interpretation proposed by von Neumann, and by London and Bauer the change of state is completed only when the result of the observation is registered in the observer's consciousness. Although this interpretation appears to be free from inconsistencies, it is not supported by psychological evidence and it is difficult to reconcile with the inter subjective agreement of several independent observers. According to the interpretation proposed by Bohr, the change of state is a consequence of the fundamental assumption that the description of any physical phenomenon requires reference to the experimental arrangement. Bohr's proposals are valuable as practical maxims in scientific theory, but they are shown to involve the renunciation of any ontological framework in which all types of events – physical and mental, microscopic and macroscopic – can be located. It is concluded that a satisfactory account of the observation of microphysical quantities is unlikely if the present formulation of quantum theory is rigorously maintained. INTRODUCTION There are two distinct problems concerning the relationship between physical objects and consciousness.
In this paper we will address important considerations for the structure of a physical theory and the need and implications for the conscious observer and creator. Complementarity and reciprocity are dominate in the sttucture of the Quantum \'Vorld. It is clear that one's meaningful existence directly involves one's intent and acdon both mental and physical in consequence. Hence, it is vital ro undersrand what intemional will is, the manner in which it arises, as it relates to one's ethical responsibility the meaning of their life may also be considered in the context of intentional will and may be described and understOod. We investigate the role of conscious intention in the physical and mental world. In this paper, we examine the theoretical constructs of the properties of observational intention and their local and nonlocal effects on mind and matter. One begins by sensing a physical or psychic input and then becoming consciously aware of it as perceptions and thoughts which result in concepts developed for memories, reasoning and feelings. Then a thought and decision will be made and imention are carried into action in the physical and mental world. We proceed by investigating the role and action of the thought of intentional will and its role in quantum mechanics, its structure of the theoty and manner in which it appears ro demand a role for consciousness. In order to proceed with our investigation will present some of the basic tenants of quantum mechanics, the structure of the theoty and manner in which it appears ro demand a role for consciousness in quantum measurement and its non local intentional interaction. The quantum theory gives us two inescapable conclusions: J) we are intimaly linked ro the world as participatory observers, and 2) nonlocal remote connections and interactions are shown to be parr of our world process. Discoveries, and/or creations of new concepts in physics lead ro the observer/participant issue. Quantum mechanics, the theory of atomic microcosm, is a description that may imply that the observer has an impact on the observed, that rhe observer has an effect on what is observed. The relativity theory scems to imply that the state of the observer affecrs his interpretation of what he sees. In the context of quantum theoty and relativity, we may be able to shed light on the relationship of discovery as well as creation and irs validation of the properties of an external reality. In quantum physics, as well as in the structure of n-dimensional relativistic models, the implication for a fundamental remore connection of events is deeply implied by the structure of these models and their experimental test and we can use this property for our experimental models of the properties of consciousness. The structure of physical theoty, its very fabric, is pointing towards a world view that speaks of concepts which have been considered external to the body of science but yet may be implied by modern physical theoty itself.
Von Neumann’s 1932 analysis of the quantum measurement chain establishes that unitary evolution can be extended through any physical apparatus or the observer’s body, and that the formalism supplies no intrinsic criterion for locating a non-unitary cut. The later rejection of placing that terminus at subjective perception did not follow from a defect in the chain argument. It followed from a physicalist ontology that treats mind and world as ontologically distinct—an assumption the mathematics of quantum mechanics does not require. Under Phenomenological Absolutism and Mutual Exclusivity, each localized actualized field configuration is identical with the absolute is-ness of first-person phenomenology. On that ontology the endpoint is not an extra-physical intervention in a closed material chain. It is what an actualized configuration already is. We reconstruct von Neumann’s position with textual fidelity, distinguish it from later causal claims that consciousness collapses the state, and show that the dualistic objections lose their force once the extraneous metaphysical premise is withdrawn. The mathematics remains compatible with other interpretations. Our claim is that von Neumann’s conclusion fits naturally when the ontology does not smuggle in a subject–object split the theory itself never licensed.
This paper has been withdrawn by the author. In this short paper I present a new approach to the problem of measurement, based on the difference between language (reality) and meta-language (meta-reality). This way, it will be shown as the measurement is a meta-sentence on a real event. It is no longer necessary to split up the world into subject and object with a shifty boundary, but starting with an holistic event (the phenomenon) in which everything is entangled and make meta-assertion on this. This possible way out stops von Neumann's chain and explains the real meaning of the concept of measurement.
Knowing the mutual interconnection of everything with everything, it is no problem to interpret the interactions between the measuring and quantum systems as any other interactions between two or more systems consisting of elementary quantum dipoles. So, all relations between the measuring apparatus and measured quantum objects are only parts of the universal cosmic network of elementary quantum interactions creating the objective physical reality, independent of a human consciousness. But the observer, as a conscious subject, plays an active and creative role in his communication with the micro-world.