Quantum Theory and the Place of Mind in Nature

Henry Pierce Stapp

Henry Pierce Stapp

Henry Pierce Stapp

Henry Pierce Stapp

Paavo Pylkkänen

This chapter provides a brief historical introduction to quantum theory, and shows that the theory opens up some radically new ways of thinking about the place of mind and consciousness in nature. Quantum theory is all about learning, on the basis of scientific experiments, to question the "obvious" truths about the nature of the physical world and to come up with more coherent alternatives. The chapter considers the famous two-slit experiment. It explores what the different interpretations of quantum theory say about situations like the two-slit experiment, and also considers what kind of theories of mind and consciousness some interpretations have inspired. The attempt to explain mind and consciousness in terms of the quantum theory involves heavy speculation. The advances in quantum biology, while not giving direct support to quantum brain theory, perhaps make a biologically grounded quantum theory of consciousness seem less inconceivable.

Inge Svein Helland

I sketch the foundation of quantum mechanics as it is presented in various books and articles. Then a new approach to quantum foundation is described, a foundation that relies on 4 simple postulates related to the mind of an observer or to the joint minds of a group of communicating observers. One of these postulates may appear to be strong, but it turns out to be more natural when it is placed in a religious setting. This assumes the existence of an omnipotent God. These arguments are further discussed, and they are shown also to give a foundation of Quantum Decision Theory.