The interface theory of perception maintains that sensory systems evolved to present agents with an 'adaptive desktop' rather than a veridical picture of the world. Physical reality is an evolutionary construct. By contrast, consciousness and agency are fundamental, irreducible elements not emergent from physics. Building on this framework, the quantum interface theory (QIT) is introduced. Several core quantum-mechanical features, such as entanglement, superposition, and decoherence, are artefacts of the interface. Moreover, the formalism of 'quantum conscious agents' is sketched to provide a foundation for QIT. Thereby, perception is modelled as a quantum instrument, enabling the study of back-reactions on agent– environment dynamics. Consciousness exhibits quantum-like properties when it 'measures itself', leading to the following prediction: signatures of quantum coherence in biological systems correlate to consciousness only if they modulate an agent's interface dynamics. By integrating evolutionary theory, quantum information, and metaphysics, QIT offers a unifying framework for modern consciousness science.
The interface theory of perception maintains that sensory systems evolved to present agents with an 'adaptive desktop' rather than a veridical picture of the world. Physical reality is an evolutionary construct. By contrast, consciousness and agency are fundamental, irreducible elements not emergent from physics. Building on this framework, the quantum interface theory (QIT) is introduced. Several core quantum-mechanical features, such as entanglement, superposition, and decoherence, are artefacts of the interface. Moreover, the formalism of 'quantum conscious agents' is sketched to provide a foundation for QIT. Thereby, perception is modelled as a quantum instrument, enabling the study of back-reactions on agent– environment dynamics. Consciousness exhibits quantum-like properties when it 'measures itself', leading to the following prediction: signatures of quantum coherence in biological systems correlate to consciousness only if they modulate an agent's interface dynamics. By integrating evolutionary theory, quantum information, and metaphysics, QIT offers a unifying framework for modern consciousness science.
Current models of visual perception typically assume that human vision estimates true properties of physical objects, properties that exist even if unperceived. However, recent studies of perceptual evolution, using evolutionary games and genetic algorithms, reveal that natural selection often drives true perceptions to extinction when they compete with perceptions tuned to fitness rather than truth: Perception guides adaptive behavior; it does not estimate a preexisting physical truth. Moreover, shifting from evolutionary biology to quantum physics, there is reason to disbelieve in preexisting physical truths: Certain interpretations of quantum theory deny that dynamical properties of physical objects have definite values when unobserved. In some of these interpretations the observer is fundamental, and wave functions are compendia of subjective probabilities, not preexisting elements of physical reality. These two considerations, from evolutionary biology and quantum physics, suggest that current models of object perception require fundamental reformulation. Here we begin such a reformulation, starting with a formal model of consciousness that we call a "conscious agent." We develop the dynamics of interacting conscious agents, and study how the perception of objects and space-time can emerge from such dynamics. We show that one particular object, the quantum free particle, has a wave function that is identical in form to the harmonic functions that characterize the asymptotic dynamics of conscious agents; particles are vibrations not of strings but of interacting conscious agents. This allows us to reinterpret physical properties such as position, momentum, and energy as properties of interacting conscious agents, rather than as preexisting physical truths. We sketch how this approach might extend to the perception of relativistic quantum objects, and to classical objects of macroscopic scale.
To arbitrate theories of consciousness, scientists need mathematical models of consciousness or qualia. The dominant view regards qualia as points in a dimensional space. Implicit in this view is that qualia can be in principle measured without any effects on it. This contrasts with intuitions and various empirical findings about qualia that they can change when they are measured. How can we deal with entities that are affected by the act of measurement? We argue that mathematical formalisms of quantum theory are precisely developed to deal with such situations. Here, we propose qualia as “observables” (i.e., entities that can be in principle observed), sensory inputs and internal attention as “states” that specify the context that a measurement takes place, and “measurement outcomes” as expected values of qualia observables in a certain state. We propose to call this formalism as the Quantum Qualia (QQ) hypothesis. QQ proposes that qualia observables in a state interact with the world, as if through an interface of sensory inputs and internal attention. This qualia-interface-world scheme has the same mathematical structure as observables-states-environment in quantum theory. Within this framework, mathematical concepts of “instruments” can precisely formalize how measurements can affect (or update) qualia observables and states. QQ naturally explains intuitions about qualia, such as the nature of qualia as indeterminate entities. Finally, QQ leads to empirical predictions that challenge traditional models, such as order effects and violations of Bell inequalities. With further confirmation of such predictions, we believe that QQ will emerge as a viable alternate mathematical model of qualia, offering an important step towards understanding the nature and structures of consciousness.
To arbitrate theories of consciousness, scientists need to understand mathematical structures of quality of consciousness, or qualia. The dominant view regards qualia as points in a dimensional space. This view implicitly assumes that qualia can be measured without any effect on them. This contrasts with intuitions and empirical findings to show that by means of internal attention qualia can change when they are measured. What is a proper mathematical structure for entities that are affected by the act of measurement? Here we propose the mathematical structure used in quantum theory, in which we consider qualia as "observables" (i.e., entities that can, in principle, be observed), sensory inputs and internal attention as "states" that specify the context that a measurement takes place, and "measurement outcomes" with probabilities that qualia observables take particular values. Based on this mathematical structure, the Quantum-like Qualia (QQ) hypothesis proposes that qualia observables interact with the world, as if through an interface of sensory inputs and internal attention. We argue that this qualia-interface-world scheme has the same mathematical structure as observables-states-environment in quantum theory. Moreover, within this structure, the concept of a "measurement instrument" in quantum theory can precisely model how measurements affect qualia observables and states. We argue that QQ naturally explains known properties of qualia and predicts that qualia are sometimes indeterminate. Such predictions can be empirically determined by the presence of order effects or violations of Bell inequalities. Confirmation of such predictions substantiates our overarching claim that the mathematical structure of QQ will offer novel insights into the nature of consciousness.
To arbitrate theories of consciousness, scientists need to understand mathematical structures of quality of consciousness, or qualia. The dominant view regards qualia as points in a dimensional space. This view implicitly assumes that qualia can be measured without any effects on it. This contrasts with intuitions and empirical findings to show that by means of internal attention qualia can change when they are measured. What is a proper mathematical structure for entities that are affected by the act of measurement? Here we propose the mathematical structure used in quantum theory, in which we consider qualia as “observables” (i.e., entities that can, in principle, be observed), sensory inputs and internal attention as “states” that specify the context that a measurement takes place, and “measurement outcomes” with probabilities that qualia observables take particular values. Based on this mathematical structure, the Quantum-like Qualia (QQ) hypothesis proposes that qualia observables interact with the world, as if through an interface of sensory inputs and internal attention. We argue that this qualia-interface-world scheme has the same mathematical structure as observables-states-environment in quantum theory. Moreover, within this structure, the concept of an “measurement instrument” in quantum theory can precisely model how measurements affect qualia observables and states. We argue that QQ naturally explains known properties of qualia and predicts that qualia are sometimes indeterminate. Such predictions can be empirically determined by the presence of order effects or violations of Bell inequalities. Confirmation of such predictions substantiates our overarching claim that the mathematical structure of QQ will offer novel insights into the nature of consciousness.
Abstract We present a novel agent-based simulation framework that models quantum-conscious behavior in artificial agents within a rendered, adversarial virtual environment. This work introduces Quantum-Conscious Agents (QCAs), which differ fundamentally from traditional reflex-based agents by incorporating non-deterministic override mechanics derived from quantum probability evolution. Agents simulate conscious awareness through a dynamic override state, evolving via a non-Hermitian Schrödinger-like equation, and interact with perceived threats through probabilistic field modulation. Energetic constraints, stochastic regeneration, and group coherence govern override costs, modeling a fundamental consciousness-resource tradeoff. We further visualise the theoretical concept of observer-universe resonance through a numerically computed Φ_eff(t) field, integrating agent perception and system response. This simulation is grounded in Rendered Frame Theory (RFT), which posits that consciousness modifies the computational substrate of perceived reality through probabilistic collapse and override. Results demonstrate that conscious agents dramatically outperform reflex counterparts in threat avoidance, maintaining near-zero collision rates and full energy efficiency. This model offers a concrete computational pathway for testing hypotheses about consciousness, simulation theory, and observer-effect dynamics.
Abstract This paper takes quantum coherence as a unifying framework to establish a streamlined physical model that spans microscopic quantum phenomena, macroscopic motion, the four fundamental interactions, and conscious perception. Changes in an object’s motion state are fundamentally the transition and reconstruction of the system’s overall coherent mode. Electromagnetism, gravity, friction, contact forces, and the strong/weak interactions are all forms of coherent coupling at different scales. Macroscopic continuous motion is a sensory illusion of high-speed transitions between discrete coherent states, synthesized into a smooth temporal sequence by consciousness. Decoherence corresponds to the release of phase constraints, accompanied by energy release. From a dimensional perspective, the high-dimensional quantum coherent field is the underlying reality, and the macroscopic classical world is its low-dimensional projection after decoherence and conscious integration. Macroscopic physics is a simplified version of quantum physics, just as conventional calculus is a simplified version of its deeper mathematical foundations. This framework achieves a unified explanation of matter, force, energy, consciousness, and spacetime dimensions, with rigorous logical simplicity and self-consistency.