Remarks On The Mind-body Question Pdf
| Title | Author | Why Read | |-------|--------|----------| | Quantum Theory and the Schism in Physics | Karl Popper | A sharp critique of Wigner’s consciousness-collapse | | The Emperor’s New Mind | Roger Penrose | Expands Wigner’s idea with Gödel’s theorem | | “The Problem of Measurement” | John S. Bell | The standard technical response to Wigner | | “Consciousness, Brain and the Physical World” | Henry Stapp | Modern defense of the Wigner interpretation |
Eugene Wigner’s 1961 essay, "Remarks on the Mind-Body Question," proposes that consciousness is the primary reality and influences the quantum wave function, challenging strictly materialist views. The paper introduces the "Wigner's Friend" thought experiment to suggest that consciousness is required to collapse a physical system, although Wigner later moved away from this interpretation. You can access the full text via Information Philosopher at https://www.informationphilosopher.com/solutions/scientists/wigner/Wigner_Remarks.pdf. The Information Philosopher 13 Remarks on the Mind-Body Question remarks on the mind-body question pdf
When a quantum system interacts with a measuring device, the device becomes entangled with the system. According to the bare formalism, the combined system exists in a superposition of states (e.g., “device records spin-up” and “device records spin-down” simultaneously). But we never see such superpositions; we see definite results. | Title | Author | Why Read |
For the student downloading the PDF, this distinction between (this specific pain is this specific brain state) and Type Identity (pain is You can access the full text via Information
In the Schrödinger equation, the wavefunction evolves smoothly and unitarily. Nothing in that equation predicts the sudden, definite outcomes we observe in experiments (e.g., a Geiger counter clicking or not clicking).
If you have found yourself searching for to clarify the dense arguments surrounding anomalous monism, token identity, and the interaction of mental and physical events, you are not alone. This article serves as a comprehensive companion to that text. It explores the history of the paper, dissects its core arguments, and explains why this specific PDF remains a vital resource for understanding the philosophy of mind in the digital age.