Quantum Theory & Consciousness

Abstract

A recent research paper entitled "Generating mechanical and optomechanical entanglement via pulsed interaction and measurement" is paving the way towards demonstrating that even macroscopic harmonic oscillators can display this ‘spooky’ phenomenon in quantum mechanics of being ‘entangled’, that is to say information is passing between these harmonic oscillators faster than the speed of light. The neurons in the brain are in fact harmonic oscillators and it is argued that the ‘binding problem’ in cognitive science is solved if it turns out that all the neurons in the neural network are in fact entangled harmonic oscillators which means that information from different neurons or sets of neurons from diverse regions of the brain can integrate simultaneously to generate in us a unified or holistic consciousness. The philosophical implications of some of the ‘weird’ aspects of quantum mechanics are discussed.