Research Catalog

Title

Quantum enigma : physics encounters consciousness / Bruce Rosenblum and Fred Kuttner.

Author

Rosenblum, Bruce.

Publication

Oxford ; New York : Oxford University Press, 2006.

Items in the Library & Off-site

Details

Additional Authors

Kuttner, Fred.

Description

211 pages : illustrations; 24 cm

Summary

"In trying to understand the atom, physicists built quantum mechanics, the most successful theory in science and the basis of one-third of our economy. They found, to their embarrassment, that with their theory, physics encounters consciousness. Authors Bruce Rosenblum and Fred Kuttner explain all this in non-technical terms with help from some fanciful stories and anecdotes about the theory's developers. They present the quantum mystery honestly, emphasizing what is and what is not speculation. Quantum Enigma's description of the experimental quantum facts, and the quantum theory explaining them, is undisputed. Interpreting what it all means, however, is heatedly controversial. But every interpretation of quantum physics involves consciousness. Rosenblum and Kuttner therefore turn to exploring consciousness itself-and encounter quantum mechanics. Free will and anthropic principles become crucial issues, and the connection of consciousness with the cosmos suggested by some leading quantum cosmologists is mind-blowing. Readers are brought to a boundary where the particular expertise of physicists is no longer the only sure guide. They will find, instead, the facts and hints provided by quantum mechanics and the ability to speculate for themselves. In the few decades since the Bell's theorem, experiments established the existence of entanglement (Einstein's 'spooky action'), interest in the foundations, and the mysteries, of quantum mechanics has accelerated. In recent years, physicists, philosophers, computer engineers, and even biologists have expanded our realization of the significance of quantum phenomena. This second edition includes such advances. The authors have also drawn on many responses from readers and instructors to improve the clarity of the book's explanations". --Publisher.

Subject

• Quantum theory
• Science > Philosophy
• Quantum Theory
• Quantum theory
• Science > Philosophy
• Bewusstsein
• Philosophie
• Quantenphysik
• Quantentheorie
• Wirklichkeit
• Consciousness

Bibliography (note)

• Includes bibliographical references (p. 203-204) and index.

Contents

Presenting the enigma -- Einstein called it "Spooky"-and I wish I had known -- The visit to Neg Ahne Poc: a quantum parable -- Our Newtonian worldview: a universal law of motion -- All the rest of classical physics -- Hello quantum mechanics -- How the quantum was forced on physics -- Schrödinger's equation: the new universal law of motion -- One-third of our economy -- Our skeleton in the closet -- Wonderful, wonderful Copenhagen -- Schrödinger's controversial cat -- Seeking a real world: EPR -- Spooky interactions: Bell's theorem -- What's going on? Interpreting the quantum enigma -- The mystery of consciousness -- The mystery meets the enigma -- Consciousness and the quantum cosmos.

ISBN

• 019517559X
• 9780195175592

LCCN

• 2005029426
• 9780195175592

OCLC

• ocm62085422
• 62085422
• SCSB-1429772

Owning Institutions

Princeton University Library