Quantum enigma: physics encounters consciousness

223 Pages·2006·3.84 MB·English

by  Bruce Rosenblum

Quantum Enigma:
Physics Encounters
Consciousness
Bruce Rosenblum
Fred Kuttner
OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS
Quantum Enigma
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Quantum Enigma
Physics Encounters
Consciousness
Bruce Rosenblum and Fred Kuttner
1
2006
1
Oxford University Press, Inc., publishes works that further
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Copyright © 2006 by Bruce Rosenblum and Fred Kuttner
Published by Oxford University Press, Inc.
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Oxford is a registered trademark of Oxford University Press
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced,
stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means,
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without the prior permission of Oxford University Press.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Rosenblum, Bruce.
Quantum enigma : physics encounters consciousness /
Bruce Rosenblum and Fred Kuttner.
p. cm.
ISBN-13 978-0-19-517559-2
ISBN 0-19-517559-X
1. Quantum theory. 2. Science—Philosophy.
I. Kuttner, Fred. II. Title.
QC174.13.R67 2006
530.12—dc22 2005029426
Wonderful Copenhagen, from the motion picture Hans Christian Andersen,
is used here as an epigraph to chapter 10.
Music and lyrics by Frank Loesser
© 1951, 1952 (Renewed) Frank Music Corp.
All Rights Reserved
9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Printed in the United States of America
on acid-free paper
We dedicate our book to the memory of John Bell,
perhaps the leading quantum theorist of the latter
half of the twentieth century. His writings, lectures,
and personal conversations have inspired us.
Is it not good to know what follows from what, even
if it is not necessary FAPP? [FAPP is Bell’s suggested
abbreviation of “for all practical purposes.”] Suppose
for example that quantum mechanics were found
to resist precise formulation. Suppose that when
formulation beyond FAPPis attempted, we find an
unmovable finger obstinately pointing outside the
subject, to the mind of the observer, to the Hindu
scriptures, to God, or even only Gravitation? Would
that not be very, very interesting?
—John Bell
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Acknowledgments
During the preparation of our book we have greatly benefited from the sugges-
tions, criticism, and corrections offered us by those who have read chapters as
they were being prepared and revised. We gratefully acknowledge the help of
Leonard Anderson, Phyllis Arozena, Donald Coyne, Reay Dick, Carlos Figueroa,
Freda Hedges, Nick Herbert, Alex Moraru, Andrew Neher, and Topsy Smalley.
All along, our agent, Faith Hamlin, has given us crucial advice and warm
encouragement. We very much appreciate her involvement in our book.
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