Ulrich Mohrhoff
Published 2001-02-09, updated 2014-08-03Version 2
This article was written in response to a request from an editor of American Vedantist. It is shown that the idea that consciousness is essential to understanding quantum mechanics arises from logical fallacies. This may be welcome news to those who share the author's annoyance at consciousness being dragged into discussions of physics, but beware: The same fallacies may underlie the reader's own way of making sense of quantum mechanics. The article ends up embracing a Vedantic world view, for two reasons. For one, such a world view seems to the author to be the most sensible alternative to a materialistic one. For another, quantum mechanics is inconsistent with a materialistic world view but makes perfect sense within a Vedantic framework of thought.
Comments: This paper has been withdrawn, as it no longer accurately represents the author's views on the subject. This does not mean that he now embraces the myth that quantum mechanics requires the consciousness of an observer to be consistent or complete
Consciousness as a State of Matter
Physics and Consciousness
Consciousness: The rules of engagement
