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arXiv:quant-ph/0702114

Nature as the observer: A simplified approach to the measurement problem and related issues

Fred H. Thaheld

Published Feb 12, 2007• 1 citation
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

Several theories have been advanced recently which appear to offer a resolution to that portion of the measurement problem which previously dealt with a possible reduction of the state vector in a subjective fashion by the brain, mind or consciousness. It now appears, based on both biological and mathematical analysis, that collapse of the wave function always takes place in an objective fashion in the retinal rod-rhodopsin molecule, and that only measured information is ever presented to the brain, mind or consciousness for possible subjective analysis. The remaining portion of the measurement problem has to do with the use and legitimacy of such terms as boundary (Heisenberg or von Neumann cut), information, irreversible, measurement, microscopic, macroscopic, observer (apparatus or measuring system), observed (measured system) and wave function collapse. This portion of the measurement problem may be resolved in two ways. First, by adopting Dirac's theory that it is nature that makes the choice of measuremental result. Second, by the insertion of a mesoscopic bridge between the microscopic and macroscopic worlds, in the existing form of the rhodopsin molecule with its retinal and opsin components.

DOI
10.48550/arxiv.quant-ph/0702114

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Several theories have been advanced recently which appear to offer a resolution to that portion of the measurement problem which previously dealt with a possible reduction of the state vector in a subjective fashion by the brain, mind or consciousness. It now appears, based on both biological and mathematical analysis, that collapse of the wave function always takes place in an objective fashion in the retinal rod-rhodopsin molecule, and that only measured information is ever presented to the brain, mind or consciousness for possible subjective analysis. The remaining portion of the measurement problem has to do with the use and legitimacy of such terms as boundary (Heisenberg or von Neumann cut), information, irreversible, measurement, microscopic, macroscopic, observer (apparatus or measuring system), observed (measured system) and wave function collapse. This portion of the measurement problem may be resolved in two ways. First, by adopting Dirac's theory that it is nature that makes the choice of measuremental result. Second, by the insertion of a mesoscopic bridge between the microscopic and macroscopic worlds, in the existing form of the rhodopsin molecule with its retinal and opsin components.
An analysis has been performed of the theories and postulates advanced by von Neumann, London and Bauer, and Wigner, concerning the role that consciousness might play in the collapse of the wave function, which has become known as the measurement problem. This reveals that an error may have been made by them in the area of biology and its interface with quantum mechanics, when they called for the reduction of any superposition states in the brain through the mind or consciousness. Many years later Wigner changed his mind to reflect a simpler and more realistic objective position, expanded upon by Shimony, which appears to offer a way to resolve this issue. The argument is therefore made that the wave function of any superposed photon state or states is always objectively changed within the complex architecture of the eye in a continuous linear process initially for most of the superposed photons, followed by a discontinuous nonlinear collapse process later for any remaining superposed photons, thereby guaranteeing that only final, measured information is presented to the brain, mind or consciousness. An experiment to be conducted in the near future may enable us to simultaneously resolve the measurement problem and also determine if the linear nature of quantum mechanics is violated by the perceptual process.
A more detailed analysis of the measurement problem continues to support the position taken by Shimony and the author that collapse of the wave function takes place in an objective manner in the rhodopsin molecule of the retina. This casts further doubts on the theories involving a spontaneous localization collapse process or a no-collapse decoherence process taking place in the visual cortex in a subjective fashion. The possibility is then raised, as per Anandan, as to whether the solution of the measurement problem in quantum theory allows one to address the problem of quantizing gravitation.
The measurement problem is approached from a mechanical aspect, utilizing schematics to better assist in visualizing the boundary and the interplay between the quantum and classical worlds. This approach graphically illustrates what happens when a photon is absorbed by the retinal molecule, and reveals that even after collapse of the wave function, the information previously carried by the photon and passed on to the pi* electron, is still at the microscopic level waiting to be amplified up to the macroscopic level by the rod cell. This analysis reveals that the measuring device or detector is of an unusual 2-stage nature, consisting of a microscopic entity or rhodopsin molecule which is not affected by the environment, contained within a macroscopic rod cell which serves as an amplifier. This approach may also allow one to better visualize the boundary conditions just prior to collapse and whether it is necessary to make any kind of adjustment to the Schroedinger equation to achieve a nonlinear collapse.
A variant of the von Neumann-Wigner Interpretation is proposed. Problems arising from the quantum Zeno effect are addressed as we have described previously. We do, however, offer some new, and perhaps unexpected observations. We are accustomed to thinking of wave function collapse as occurring consequent to laboratory measurements. We speculate that, whatever physical correlate of consciousness exists within the brain, it is quantum mechanical in the sense that a brain, left to itself, would eventually decohere into a state no longer compatible with its conscious functioning. Wave function collapse returns it to a state compatible with consciousness. Indeed, this may be its important reason for occurring. A universe without it simply could not play host to conscious brains. The fact that it also prevents us from encountering "absurd" situations in the laboratory is merely a fortunate dividend. Whenever a quantum measurement is made the universe's future history splits into a number of possibilities. This number may be very large or infinite. And we believe consciousness plays a vital role in this happening. A "conscious" universe where quantum measurements are being made allows for an enormous number of equally acceptable world-histories. An "unconscious" one, always evolving in a unitary fashion, allows for only one. If we assume that the decision as to which worldhistory is the real one (i.e. this one) is made at random we see that the universe is overwhelmingly more likely to be "conscious" than not.
A variant of the von Neumann-Wigner Interpretation is proposed. Problems arising from the quantum Zeno effect are addressed as we have described previously. We do, however, offer some new, and perhaps unexpected observations. We are accustomed to thinking of wave function collapse as occurring consequent to laboratory measurements. We speculate that, whatever physical correlate of consciousness exists within the brain, it is quantum mechanical in the sense that a brain, left to itself, would eventually decohere into a state no longer compatible with its conscious functioning. Wave function collapse returns it to a state compatible with consciousness. Indeed, this may be its important reason for occurring. A universe without it simply could not play host to conscious brains. The fact that it also prevents us from encountering "absurd" situations in the laboratory is merely a fortunate dividend. Whenever a quantum measurement is made the universe's future history splits into a number of possibilities. This number may be very large or infinite. And we believe consciousness plays a vital role in this happening. A "conscious" universe where quantum measurements are being made allows for an enormous number of equally acceptable world-histories. An "unconscious" one, always evolving in a unitary fashion, allows for only one. If we assume that the decision as to which worldhistory is the real one (i.e. this one) is made at random we see that the universe is overwhelmingly more likely to be "conscious" than not.
In a segment of a recent paper Adler performed an analysis of a CSL reduction mechanism with specific emphasis on where a CSL-type reduction might occur from a biophysical standpoint within the visual system, whether in the retina or in the brain. This revealed that no superposed state can ever be maintained beyond the rod cells of the retina, in agreement with previous non-CSL reduction positions taken by Shimony and the author and, that either approach may lead to a wave function collapse of an objective rather than a subjective nature, providing for a simpler answer to the measurement problem.