Quantum-Philosophical Ideas on Questions of Consciousness

Summary of a forum contribution at the symposium "Applied Consciousness Science - Science in the Service of Living" on 12 October 2012 in Bad Abbach

Abstract

The phenomena observed in quantum physics have led to the formulation of new laws or principles of nature. When abstracted from their specific quantum-physical substrate, these principles can also be utilized on a more conceptual level as new figures of thought or “thinking tools”, through which we might be able to view the world differently and understand it better. In the following, thus, the question shall be discussed, whether accordingly abstracted notions of non-locality and complementarity can offer new perspectives on questions regarding consciousness. To this end, first the respective quantumphysical phenomenologies will be outlined. Next, a hypothetical perspective is tentatively proposed from which certain phenomenologies in the realm of consciousness, in particular the mind-body probem and so called psi-phenomena, are viewed as analogues or structural isomorphs. Epistemological and ontological questions with regard to this approach will be mentioned but not solved.