Reconceptualizing the Quantum Observer: Information Responsiveness as a Universal Property

Previously we have shown that a gauge theory utilizing statistical manifolds as fibers offers a playground for a reconceptualization of physics as a participatory "it from bit" universe. Here we demonstrate that within this framework an inertial mass-like quantity naturally emerges as the statistical precision (the inverse covariance) of an agent's predictive model. By considering multi-variate Gaussians and a SO(N) gauge group we show that the second-order Taylor expansion of Kullback-Leibler divergence under belief updating yields a kinetic energy term $T = \frac{1}{2}\dot{\mu}^T \Sigma_p^{-1} \dot{\mu}$ , in the variational free energy princple, where the Fisher information metric of the agent's predictive model serves as the mass matrix. This extends the variational free energy principle from a purely dissipative gradient dynamics to a fully Hamiltonian mechanics, with the Lagrangian structure $\mathcal{L} = T - V$ . Crucially, mass and spacetime-like geometry are defined relative to each agent's prior with objective physics emerging only through inter-agent consensus driven by variational free energy minimization. The framework constitutes a concrete realization of Wheeler's participatory "it from bit" universe, wherein physical law emerges from the epistemic alignment of observing agents rather than existing a priori.Previously we have shown that a gauge theory utilizing statistical manifolds as fibers offers a playground for a reconceptualization of physics as a participatory "it from bit" universe. Here we demonstrate that within this framework an inertial mass-like quantity naturally emerges as the statistical precision (the inverse covariance) of an agent's predictive model. By considering multi-variate Gaussians and a SO(N) gauge group we show that the second-order Taylor expansion of Kullback-Leibler divergence under belief updating yields a kinetic energy term $T = \frac{1}{2}\dot{\mu}^T \Sigma_p^{-1} \dot{\mu}$, in the variational free energy princple, where the Fisher information metric of the agent's predictive model serves as the mass matrix. This extends the variational free energy principle from a purely dissipative gradient dynamics to a fully Hamiltonian mechanics, with the Lagrangian structure $\mathcal{L} = T - V$. Crucially, mass and spacetime-like geometry are defined relative to each agent's prior with objective physics emerging only through inter-agent consensus driven by variational free energy minimization. The framework constitutes a concrete realization of Wheeler's participatory "it from bit" universe, wherein physical law emerges from the epistemic alignment of observing agents rather than existing a priori.

Dec 1, 20250 citations

The Ontological Status Of Quantum Information

Robert R.A. Arnăutu

Jan 1, 20100 citations

The Emergent Aspect Dualism View of Quantum Physics: A New Ontology to Resolve the Complementarity Conundrum

Christopher W. Tyler

To resolve the conceptual problem of the conflict between quantal and relativistic formulations of Quantum Physics, this paper proposes a new conceptual ontology, Emergent Aspect Dualism, that reconceptualizes the foundations of the field. Emergent Aspect Dualism is a philosophical approach that starts from the assumption is that the primary “material” of the universe is energy, which can be manifested as kinetic energy, potential energy or matter. The flow of such energy throughout the universe is described by the continuous Schrödinger Equation, but in order to account for the hierarchy of levels of organization reality, we need to invoke the concept of emergence, under which the operative principles of each level of organization of this energy are entirely dissociated from those of the levels below it, and, crucially, the functional emergence of the properties of the conscious mind that are dualistically dissociated from the underlying biochemical principles of brain organization. Rather than assigning probabilities to the quantal realm, Emergent Aspect Dualism treats probability as an operational concept that can be held only by a conscious mind, a philosophical category that incorporates the properties of a) the superposition of states and b) the collapse of this superposition once an observation is made.To resolve the conceptual problem of the conflict between quantal and relativistic formulations of Quantum Physics, this paper proposes a new conceptual ontology, Emergent Aspect Dualism, that reconceptualizes the foundations of the field. Emergent Aspect Dualism is a philosophical approach that starts from the assumption is that the primary “material” of the universe is energy, which can be manifested as kinetic energy, potential energy or matter. The flow of such energy throughout the universe is described by the continuous Schrödinger Equation, but in order to account for the hierarchy of levels of organization reality, we need to invoke the concept of emergence, under which the operative principles of each level of organization of this energy are entirely dissociated from those of the levels below it, and, crucially, the functional emergence of the properties of the conscious mind that are dualistically dissociated from the underlying biochemical principles of brain organization. Rather than assigning probabilities to the quantal realm, Emergent Aspect Dualism treats probability as an operational concept that can be held only by a conscious mind, a philosophical category that incorporates the properties of a) the superposition of states and b) the collapse of this superposition once an observation is made.

Journal of Research in Philosophy and HistoryNov 27, 20186 citations

Information Complexity and Control in Quantum Physics

Austin Blaquière, Simon Diner, Georges Lochak

Oct 1, 198771 citations

The Observer-Medium-Observed Triad: A Quantum-Grounded Framework for Causality

Da Wei

The classical framework of causality faces a significant theoretical impasse. Cartesian dualism introduces a profound interaction problem regarding mind and matter, while traditional physical models struggle to accommodate the epistemic observer. Because linear causal chains fail to fully explain the dynamic act of observation, this paper proposes a fundamental reconceptualization of causal structure. By firmly grounding our approach in quantum entanglement theory, specifically utilizing the Greenberger-Horne-Zeilinger (GHZ) multi-body entanglement properties, we argue that causality inherently requires a strict triadic architecture. This triad comprises an Observer, an active Medium, and an Observed target. Quantum nonlocality suggests that fundamental causality extends beyond strict local interactions, a principle illustrated mathematically and ontologically by the GHZ state. Removing any single entity within this system collapses the coherent network, indicating that the medium serves as an active participant enforcing topological constraints rather than a passive background. Furthermore, this necessity for triadic structure scales universally across physical theory: special relativity's light-cone causality eliminates instantaneous two-body interaction, quantum field theory's interaction Lagrangian encodes all forces as three-point vertices, and gauge theory's local symmetry requirements necessitate intervening gauge fields. Ultimately, this framework provides a logically consistent and physically grounded perspective on the classical mind-matter interaction problem, framing causation as information flowing within an irreducible triadic network.The classical framework of causality faces a significant theoretical impasse. Cartesian dualism introduces a profound interaction problem regarding mind and matter, while traditional physical models struggle to accommodate the epistemic observer. Because linear causal chains fail to fully explain the dynamic act of observation, this paper proposes a fundamental reconceptualization of causal structure. By firmly grounding our approach in quantum entanglement theory, specifically utilizing the Greenberger-Horne-Zeilinger (GHZ) multi-body entanglement properties, we argue that causality inherently requires a strict triadic architecture. This triad comprises an Observer, an active Medium, and an Observed target. Quantum nonlocality suggests that fundamental causality extends beyond strict local interactions, a principle illustrated mathematically and ontologically by the GHZ state. Removing any single entity within this system collapses the coherent network, indicating that the medium serves as an active participant enforcing topological constraints rather than a passive background. Furthermore, this necessity for triadic structure scales universally across physical theory: special relativity's light-cone causality eliminates instantaneous two-body interaction, quantum field theory's interaction Lagrangian encodes all forces as three-point vertices, and gauge theory's local symmetry requirements necessitate intervening gauge fields. Ultimately, this framework provides a logically consistent and physically grounded perspective on the classical mind-matter interaction problem, framing causation as information flowing within an irreducible triadic network.

Apr 29, 20260 citations

T = \frac{1}{2}\dot{\mu}^T \Sigma_p^{-1} \dot{\mu}

, in the variational free energy princple, where the Fisher information metric of the agent's predictive model serves as the mass matrix. This extends the variational free energy principle from a purely dissipative gradient dynamics to a fully Hamiltonian mechanics, with the Lagrangian structure

\mathcal{L} = T - V

. Crucially, mass and spacetime-like geometry are defined relative to each agent's prior with objective physics emerging only through inter-agent consensus driven by variational free energy minimization. The framework constitutes a concrete realization of Wheeler's participatory "it from bit" universe, wherein physical law emerges from the epistemic alignment of observing agents rather than existing a priori.