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Quantum Theory of What?
What does quantum theory
describe?
What is an object?
• An object is a concept.
• A concept is a result of separating and
naming.
• Thus, an object is always separate from
some other object, both of which have
names.
• Examples: This thought, that pain, a table,
a human body, a black hole, a unicorn.
Definition of objective reality
• An object is said to exist objectively if two
or more observers…
• …agree on the definition of the object…
• …agree on their observations of the
object…
• …and agree that the object exists whether
or not it is being observed.
• If so, the object is said to be objectively
real by those who agree (e.g., a human
body, a table, a black hole, a unicorn).
• For those who disagree, it doesn’t exist!
• This is existence by agreement.
In classical physics, objects exist
by wide-spread agreement
• Classical physics describes macroscopic
objects that can be perceived with the
human senses.
• Classical objects are assumed to have
precise positions and velocities.
• A classical object is assumed to exist
whether or not it is being observed if two
or more observers agree that it exists.
• For those who disagree, it doesn’t exist!
But, what does quantum theory
describe?
• That is the big question!
• Quantum objects do not have precise
positions and velocities.
• Quantum theory predicts the probabilities
of measuring specific positions or
velocities in specific measurements on
specific quantum objects (e.g., “atoms”
observed with a scanning tunneling
microscope, see next slide).
Example: Measurements of iron “atom”
position probabilities surrounding
“electron” position probabilities
In both classical and quantum
physics, an interpretation is needed
• We do not actually perceive a classical
object. We perceive only sensations. It is
the mind that constructs an object from the
sensations. Different minds may construct
different objects.
• However, in classical physics there is
wide-spread agreement on the definition of
a classical object, and…
• …if two or more observers agree on its
existence, it exists for those observers.
But what is a quantum object?
• Is it objectively real—i.e., does it exist
whether or not it is being observed
(ontological existence)?
• Does it exist only as a belief
(epistemological existence)?
• Or does it exist only as the mathematical
prediction of the probability of obtaining a
specific result in a specific observation
(mathematical existence)?
Contrary to classical physics, there is
no agreement among quantum
physicists on what a quantum object is!
• There is no wide-spread agreement on the
definition of a quantum object.
• There is no wide-spread agreement on the
existence of a quantum object.
• No agreement, no existence!
Question: How does consciousness fit
into all of this?
• Consciousness, as pure nonphysical
awareness, is assumed in one
interpretation.
• Consciousness as an emergent property
of matter is assumed in other
interpretations (but matter-based
consciousness has no creative power!).
• Consciousness is not assumed at all in the
remaining interpretations (but how could
there then be observations?).
A problem!
• In quantum theory, objective time and
space form a fixed background (as
context) in which everything happens.
• In general relativity (gravity theory),
objective time, space, matter, and energy
depend on each other and evolve in time
together (as content).
• How to unify such disparate theories into a
quantum theory of gravity?
• One possibility: Eliminate objective time
and space!
What if Reality were spaceless and
timeless?
• Space is the concept of size and location.
• Time is the concept of duration.
• If there is no space, there is no size or
location.
• If there is no time, there is no duration.
• What does this remind us of?
• Nirvana, pure Awareness, satori,
enlightenment!