Apr 21, 2021 06:56 AM
(This post was last modified: Apr 21, 2021 08:15 AM by C C.)
WARNING: Bruce Gordon "is a proponent of the pseudoscience of intelligent design and has been affiliated with the Discovery Institute since 1997."
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In quantum physics, “reality” really is what we choose to observe
https://mindmatters.ai/2021/04/in-quantu...o-observe/
INTRO: In last week’s podcast,” our guest host, neurosurgeon Michael Egnor, interviewed idealist philosopher of science and physicist Bruce Gordon on how the quantum physics that underlies our universe makes much more sense if we have a non-materialist view of reality. Even then, it challenges our conventional view of how nature “must” work.
[...] Michael Egnor: When I was in college, I was a biochemistry major and I took some courses in quantum mechanics. It was noted in the course that when you look at the most fundamental properties of subatomic particles, matter seems to disappear. That the reality of the subatomic particles is that they’re mathematical concepts. It utterly fascinated me that, at its basic structure, reality is an idea which fits very nicely with idealism. Dr. Gordon is an expert on idealism and on the philosophy of science. What do you think about all this?
Bruce Gordon: Well, certainly my own path to idealism was paved by my reflections on the metaphysics of quantum physics. So I’m deeply sympathetic to the questions that you’re raising.
Quantum physics is a highly mathematical theory that describes the nature of reality at the atomic and subatomic level. The mathematical descriptions of quantum physics have a variety of experimentally confirmed consequences that — I would say — preclude the possibility of a world of mind-independent material substances governed by material causation.
We live in a reality that seems very much to be described by classical Newtonian kinds of mathematical descriptions. However, at the most fundamental level that’s not the case.
Let’s take a look at some interesting quantum experiments that point toward the mind-dependent character of reality… Fundamentally, we’ve got a situation in which reality at the quantum level does not exist until it is observed. I think one of the most fascinating ones is the quantum eraser experiment.
When you’re not observing reality, it seems to behave in accordance with the Schrödinger wave equation, and various relativistic expressions of that. But when you are observing it… (MORE - details)
- - - - - -
In quantum physics, “reality” really is what we choose to observe
https://mindmatters.ai/2021/04/in-quantu...o-observe/
INTRO: In last week’s podcast,” our guest host, neurosurgeon Michael Egnor, interviewed idealist philosopher of science and physicist Bruce Gordon on how the quantum physics that underlies our universe makes much more sense if we have a non-materialist view of reality. Even then, it challenges our conventional view of how nature “must” work.
[...] Michael Egnor: When I was in college, I was a biochemistry major and I took some courses in quantum mechanics. It was noted in the course that when you look at the most fundamental properties of subatomic particles, matter seems to disappear. That the reality of the subatomic particles is that they’re mathematical concepts. It utterly fascinated me that, at its basic structure, reality is an idea which fits very nicely with idealism. Dr. Gordon is an expert on idealism and on the philosophy of science. What do you think about all this?
Bruce Gordon: Well, certainly my own path to idealism was paved by my reflections on the metaphysics of quantum physics. So I’m deeply sympathetic to the questions that you’re raising.
Quantum physics is a highly mathematical theory that describes the nature of reality at the atomic and subatomic level. The mathematical descriptions of quantum physics have a variety of experimentally confirmed consequences that — I would say — preclude the possibility of a world of mind-independent material substances governed by material causation.
We live in a reality that seems very much to be described by classical Newtonian kinds of mathematical descriptions. However, at the most fundamental level that’s not the case.
Let’s take a look at some interesting quantum experiments that point toward the mind-dependent character of reality… Fundamentally, we’ve got a situation in which reality at the quantum level does not exist until it is observed. I think one of the most fascinating ones is the quantum eraser experiment.
When you’re not observing reality, it seems to behave in accordance with the Schrödinger wave equation, and various relativistic expressions of that. But when you are observing it… (MORE - details)
