quantum mechanics: free will (Introduction)

by David Turell , Tuesday, September 03, 2013, 22:55 (4100 days ago) @ dhw


> dhw:"What is more, recent experiments are bringing to light that the experimenter's free will and consciousness should be considered axioms (founding principles) of standard quantum physics theory. So for instance, in experiments involving "entanglement" (the phenomenon Einstein called "spooky action at a distance"), to conclude that quantum correlations of two particles are nonlocal (i.e. cannot be explained by signals traveling at velocity less than or equal to the speed of light), it is crucial to assume that the experimenter can make free choices, and is not constrained in what orientation he/she sets the measuring devices."
> dhw:........ I'm just asking for an explanation of the logic.-He is not logical because he isn't recognizing fully Ruth's contribution. If one realizes that the particles are entangled outside our level of reality, speed of light doesn't matter. Double slits equal spookiness all the time, no matter how we think to manipulate the experiment.-> 
> dhw: Since we understand so little about consciousness, and so little about the quantum world, could we not rewrite the final sentence as follows: we cannot have nature without agencies which at present cannot be explained in known material terms?-Exactly right.