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The Quantum Soul

By Vexen Crabtree 2001 May 13

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Quantum Consciousness is a type of spirituality/soul theory derived from the terminology of Quantum Physics and theory. It is an example of "psudeo-science", where scientific terms are used without genuine understanding of their meaning, but in a way that makes out-there theories look reasonable at first glance. Quantum Physics terminology and parphenalia is often used as a basis for postulating how there might be 'souls'1.

  1. Interconnectivity of all things - introduction
  2. Quantum Consciousness
  3. Scientific theory of spiritualism
  4. Limitations and Religion


Interconnectivity of all things

Quantum Physics is a vastly important area of physics for philosophers. Interconnectivity of all things relies primarily on faster than light communication, specifically the effect on one wavicle of another wavicle at speeds which, when measured in a bee line, appears to be faster than the speed of light.

Quantum Tunnelling, some Black Hole physics, some big bang models and a few other Quantum "effects" including Plurality and Schrodingers Cat theories can all be interpreted to include faster than light mechanics.

Most of these elements are under dispute, with multiple variations and differing interpretations of the effects. For example, there are some Quantum Tunnelling explanations (especially in Super String Theory) that do not require faster than light travel to explain the phenomenon. In short, Quantum theory is still unstable and we continue to make sudden or unexpected discoveries, both in theory and practice.

So most of the theory behind Quantum Souls is dubious, but it is still valid theory for the most part, this essay is my explanation of what the Quantum Soul is and implies.


Quantum Consciousness

William Bloom calls the elements of the New Age that take modern science and interpret them spiritually as "New Science/New Paradigm". "The inter-connectedness of everything informs New Age attitudes to health and healing [...] in place of the medical-science treatement"2. Quantum Consciousness is based on the concept that all things are interrelated and can affect each other at speeds greater than the speed of light; and that consciousness is derived from this almost-spiritual effect of information flow. It is derived from wave/particle Quantum Physics, Quantum tunnelling, black hole physics.

Anyone into Forteana or scientific spiritualism absolutely loves this stuff. I'm a bit sceptical about it all. But also it is exciting because if Quantum theory proceeds further in this direction it does provide a source of "qualia", based on a quantum mathematical model of consciousness.

Some articles on "Quantum Consciousness":

Proponents of this theory see room for free will and a concept of 'spirit' at the quantum level. But I'll be sceptical with you and say this much. No one fully understands quantum physics...we can say that we observe "randomness" but this is description and not comprehension. To apply quantum theory to consciousness is a bit redundant....there's not really any new information being added. At least it seems so to me.


Scientific theory of spiritualism

Quantum Consciousness is based on the concept that all things are interrelated and can affect each other at speeds greater than the speed of light; and that consciousness is derived from this almost-spiritual effect of information flow. There exist theories that this is the beginnings of a scientific understanding of spiritualism, mysticism and some occultism.

People can sense each other, basically as if people had souls. Additional sensory input from electromagnetic radiation caused by neuronal activity could be augmented via Quantum Consciousness to form kinds of psychic ability, extra sensory perception etc.


Limitations and Religion

The Quantum Soul is derived from Quantum Physics, and is material in essence, even though the effect of it is spiritual. The material aspects of Quantum Soul control the soul itself, there is no "sky hook". Which means that Souls can exist, according to this theory, and no god is required.

Those who believe in souls but not religion par se are drawn to this theory, and followers of Forteana, mysteries or the unexplained are dead excited about Quantum Souls.

Most the individual elements of Quantum Consciousness are under dispute. For example most of the supporting maths behind the Interconnectivity of all things is doubted, dubious, with many other theories in circulation that if true do not permit Quantum Souls to exist. But nonetheless, the Quantum Soul theory is presently the best theory of soul that we have.

By Vexen Crabtree 2001 May 13

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References: (What's this?)

Bruce, Steve
"Religion in the Modern World: From Cathedrals to Cults" (1996). Oxford University Press, Oxford, UK.

Skeptical Inquirer
"Skeptical Inquirer". Pro-science magazine published bimonthly by the Committee for Scientific Inquiry, New York, USA.

Notes

  1. Amir Raz article "Anomalous Cognition: A Meeting of Minds?" in Skeptical Inquirer (2008 Jul/Aug) p37-39. Amir Raz holds the Canada Research Chair in the Cognitive Neuroscience of Attention at McGill University and the SMBD Jewish General Hospital, where he heads the Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory and the Clinical Nueroscience and Applied Cognition Laboratory, respectively. Added to page on 2008 Sep 26.^
  2. Bruce (1996) p204.^