Quantum Information and Consciousness

A Gentle Introduction

Danko D. Georgiev

• Publisher: CRC Press
• Year: 2017
• Print ISBN:
  9781138104488
• eBook ISBN:
  9781351401777
• Topic: Ciencias físicas
• Subtopic: Mente y cuerpo en filosofía

"I loved the book! This book is not just interesting, it is exciting. I have probably read every significant book in the field, and this is the strongest and most convincing one yet. It is also one of the most comprehensive in its explanations. I shall most certainly recommend the book to colleagues."
–Richard G. Petty, MD

"a very good introduction to the basic theory of quantum systems…. Dr. Georgiev's book aptly prepares the reader to confront whatever might be in store later."
–from the Foreword by Prof. James F. Glazebrook, Eastern Illinois University

This book addresses the fascinating cross-disciplinary field of quantum information theory applied to the study of brain function. It offers a self-study guide to probe the problems of consciousness, including a concise but rigorous introduction to classical and quantum information theory, theoretical neuroscience, and philosophy of the mind. It aims to address long-standing problems related to consciousness within the framework of modern theoretical physics in a comprehensible manner that elucidates the nature of the mind-body relationship. The reader also gains an overview of methods for constructing and testing quantum informational theories of consciousness.

Part II

Some background for beginners

CHAPTER 2

The scientific conception of the world

When we are born, we have no memories and know nothing about ourselves or the surrounding world. This state of ignorance, however, does not persist for long. As we grow, we explore the world and learn facts about existing physical objects including other people and ourselves. We also learn a language in order to express ourselves and to communicate with others. And, sooner or later, having collected a certain amount of knowledge, we start asking questions whose answers may not have immediate practical applications, but are needed for the sake of satisfying our own human curiosity. The most important of these questions are those that concern ourselves in relation to the world we live in: Where are we? Who are we? What are we? Why do we exist? What is the purpose of our existence?

Through introspection, we know that we exist and that we have experiences. We, as conscious minds, are composed of experiences. Our experiences are the most intimate aspects of our lives and our only way to access the surrounding world. We learn how things are by accumulating memories about our past experiences. We are able to learn new things about ourselves and the rest of the world because of two facts: we have direct conscious control over our bodies and we have only indirect control over the rest of the world. Indeed, if we were unable to directly control our bodies or if we were directly controlling the whole universe, it would have been impossible to learn any...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Half Title
• Title Page
• Copyright Page
• Table of Contents
• Foreword
• Preface
• About the Author
• I Introduction
• II Some background for beginners
• III A quantum information theory of consciousness
• References
• Glossary
• Index