Quanta and Mind

This edited volume examines aspects of the mind/consciousness that are relevant to the interpretations of quantum mechanics. In it, an international group of contributors focus on the possible connections between quantum mechanics and consciousness. They look at how consciousness can help us with quantum mechanics as well as how quantum mechanics can contribute to our understanding of consciousness. For example, what do different interpretations aimed at solving the measurement problem in quantum mechanics tell us about the nature of consciousness, such as von Neumann's interpretation? Each interpretation has, associated to it, a corresponding metaphysical framework that helps us think about possible models of consciousness. Alternatively, what does the nature of consciousness tell us about the role of the observer and time reversibility in the measurement process? The book features 20 papers on contemporary approaches to quanta and mind. It brings together thework of scholars from different disciplines with diverse views on the connections between quanta and mind, ranging from those who are supportive of a link between consciousness and quantum physics to those who are very skeptical of such link. Coverage includes such topics as free will in a quantum world, contextuality and causality, mind and matter interaction, quantum panpsychism, the quantum and quantum-like brain, and the role of time in brain-mind dynamics.

Explores the possible connections between quantum mechanics and consciousness Looks at how consciousness research can deepen our understanding of quantum mechanics Considers how quantum mechanics can contribute to our knowledge of consciousness

Auteur
J. Acacio de Barros is a physicist working on the foundations of quantum mechanics, philosophy of physics, and psychology. His interests are interdisciplinary, and focus mainly on different formalisms to describe contextual systems, both in quantum mechanics and areas outside of physics, such as in decision-making and psychology. Dr. de Barros has held visiting positions at the Institute for Mathematical Studies in the Social Sciences (Stanford University), Center for the Study of Language and Information (Stanford University), and at the Interdisciplinary Logic Group at COPPE (Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil), and is currently Professor at the School of Humanities and Liberal Studies, San Francisco State University. Dr. de Barros is a Corresponding Member of the Brazilian Academy of Philosophy.
Carlos Montemayor is Professor of Philosophy at San Francisco State University. He is the author of Minding Time: A Philosophical and Theoretical Approachto the Psychology of Time (2013; Brill), Consciousness, Attention, and Conscious Attention (with H. H. Haladjian, 2015; MIT Press) and Knowledge, Dexterity, and Attention: A Theory of Epistemic Agency (with Abrol Fairweather, 2017; Cambridge University Press).

Contenu
Foreword.- Preface.- Part I. Quanta informs Mind. 1. Free Will in a Quantum World? (Valia Allori).- 2. Mind and Matter (Marcus Appleby).- 3. Between physics and metaphysics: a discussion of the status of mind in quantum mechanics (Raoni Arroyo and Jonas Arenhardt).- 4. Bridges between Classical and Quantum (L. P. G. De Assis).- 5. Where does quanta meet mind? (J. Acacio de Barros).- 6. Quantum Schmuntum? (Pawe Kurzynski and Dagomir Kaszlikowski).- 7. A Quantum Model of Non-Illusory Free Will (Kathryn Blackmond Laskey).- 8. Bohmian Philosophy of Mind? (Peter J. Lewis).- 9. Mind and matter: Two entangled parallel time-lines, one reconstructing the past in remembering, the other extrapolating into the future in predicting (Giuseppe Vitiello).- Part II. Mind informs Quanta. 10. Contextuality Revisited Signaling May Differ From Communicating (Harald Atmanspacher and Thomas Filk).- 11. Is There a Place for Consciousness in Quantum Mechanics? (Otávio Bueno).- 12. Quantum mechanics and consciousness: some views from a novice (Emmanuel Haven).- 13. Panpsychism and Quantum Mechanics: Explanatory Challenges (Carlos Montemayor).- 14. Quantum theory and the place of mind in the causal order of things (Paavo Pylkkanen).- 15. Introspection and Superposition (Paul Skokowski).- Part III. Quanta and Mind informs worldviews. 16. Absolute present, Zen and Schrödinger's One Mind (Peter D. Bruza and Brentyn Ramm).- 17. Semantic gaps and protosemantics (Benj Hellie).- 18. The Observer and Access to Information in the Quantum Universe (Menas C. Kafatos and Ashok Narasimhan).- 19. Unifying Decision-Making: a Review on Evolutionary Theories on Rationality and Cognitive Biases (Catarina Moreira).- 20. Time is out of Joint: Consciousness, Temporality, and Probability in Quantum Theory (Arkady Plotnitsky).