Quantum weirdness (Introduction)

by David Turell , Monday, December 02, 2013, 13:52 (4010 days ago) @ dhw


> dhw: We have clearly been reading different articles. The one I read was all about Henry's discovery that the material universe doesn't exist, other than in our minds. After listing 9 quantum interpretations, he writes: 
> "Do you find any of these interpretations satisfactory? I certainly do not. And our authors clearly do not. So, let me offer the Henry interpretation: There is no actually existing universe at all. The universe is purely mental."-He is simply expressing the theory that it requires consciousness to create our reality. His article reminds the rest of us that quantum weirdness drives some folks to strange conclusions.
 
> dhw: He then tells us to take the leap of faith needed to believe that other people's minds also exist. Let's not quibble about "third hand". Most of what you have written makes perfect sense, but it bears no relation to Henry's ramblings. You write "How does an inorganic universe create consciousness, if none is originally present?" A hugely important question. But once more, according to Henry there is no inorganic universe ... there is only mind.-Again, a strange but interesting point of view, held by a number of folks. I can't remember off hand who but the idea that the universe can only exist if our minds are present goes back to the original quantum thinkers in the early 20th Century.
> 
> dhw:Incidentally, while you are championing statements Henry never wrote, I wonder what you think of this one, which he did write: "The authors make the critical point that religious belief flowing out of quantum mechanics does not in any way validate "intelligent design." (Indeed, in my view ID is insulting to GoS, who is surely not, as the authors emphasize, a tinkerer.)"-Just his opinion, deism vs. theism. I never said when I presented this essay that I agreed with all of his thoughts. But as you see he represents one facit of the ways quantum madness is interpreted by philosophers. His thought represents a century of this type of thinking. By exposing yourself to this at least you can survey the range of theories about QM that Feynman says no one understands. Should make you feel better about your own confusion.