Von Neumann–Wigner interpretation
Interpretation of quantum mechanics in which consciousness is postulated to be necessary for the completion of the process of quantum measurement
The von Neumann–Wigner interpretation, also described as "consciousness causes collapse [of the wave function]", is an interpretation of quantum mechanics in which consciousness is postulated to be necessary for the completion of the process of quantum measurement.
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Quotes
edit- Of course, quantum mechanics is tinged with this kind of solipsism, because there is a sense in which an electron doesn’t really have any properties until you measure it. There is a subjective aspect to quantum mechanics. Some experts like Eugene Wigner were convinced the universe wouldn’t exist if it didn’t have observers in it. He argued that, without a conscious mind observing the quantum events, the events don’t really exist, which I think is a crazy point of view. But it is defended by a number of quantum mechanics experts.
- Martin Gardner, in "Interview with Martin Gardner", Notices of the AMS (June/July 2005)
