arXiv subjects

Richard A Mould

Publications and source records attributed to Richard A Mould.

24 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2003

Timing of the Penrose R-Process

The Penrose reduction theory is applied to a particle/detector interaction where the time that it takes for a particle capture (and reduction of the original state) is constrained by the Heisenberg uncertainty between time and energy . The usual interpretation of this equation is found to conflict with the Hamiltonian dynamics of the interaction. Another interpretation of this equation seems to solve that problem, but then another difficulty arises. We conclude that the Penrose theory cannot reflect the timing implicit in the Hamiltonian dynamics unless it can be amended to take account of the probability current flow between competing states. Key Words: decoherence, probability current, stochastic choice, wave collapse.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2002

Conscious Pulse II: The rules of engagement

This is the final paper in a series that considers the rules of engagement between conscious states and physiological states. In this paper, we imagine that an endogenous quantum mechanical superposition is created by a classical stimulus, and that this leads to a `physiological pulse' of states that are in superposition with one another. This pulse is correlated with a `conscious pulse' of the kind discussed in a previous paper (Conscious Pulse I). We then add a rule (5) to the four rules previously given. This rule addresses the effect of `pain' consciousness on both of these pulses, and in doing so, it validates the "Parallel Principle" applied to pain. Key words: Brain states, consciousness, conscious observer, macroscopic superposition, measurement, state reduction, state collapse, von Neumann.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2002

Consciousness and Endogenous State Reduction: Two Experiments

It is normally claimed that physical systems create and influence consciousness, but that consciousness cannot influence physical systems. However, I believe that this idea is flawed, and I suggest the following experiments as a way of demonstrating the influence of consciousness on physical systems. The first uses Positron Emission Tomography (PET) with humans, and the second uses autoradiography with rats. Background arguments are given, where it is claimed that 'pain' consciousness is correlated in a certain way with the binding of opiates to receptors in the brain. Key Words: state reduction, state collapse, macroscopic superpositions, PET scan, autoradiography.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2001

The Parallel Principle

Von Neumann's psycho-physical parallelism requires the existence of an interaction between subjective experiences and material systems. A hypothesis is proposed that amends physics in a way that connects subjective states with physical states, and a general model of the interaction is provided. A specific example shows how the theory applies to pain consciousness. The implications concerning quantum mechanical state creation and reduction are discussed, and some mechanisms are suggested to seed the process. An experiment that tests the hypothesis is described elsewhere. Key Words: von Neumann, psycho-physical, consciousness, state reduction, state collapse, macroscopic superpositions, conscious observer.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2000

Satisfying Reality

It is claimed elsewhere that the conscious states of humans must have evolved together with their biological states, and that an ongoing interaction between the two must have occurred to insure that they mirror one another in any species. A quantum mechanical mechanism and an evolutionary model for the assumed mind/body interaction are described in those papers. The present paper outlines the related ontological and epistemological assumptions, showing how the claimed connection between conscious states and physical states should be understood. Keywords: consciousness, Copenhagen, epistemology, form, Godel, matter, monism, objective reality, post modernism, psychology, subjective reality, TOE, undecidability, universals

quant-ph↗

arXiv1999

A defense of Hellwig-Kraus reductions

Aharonov and Albert analyze a thought experiment which they believe shows that quantum mechanical state reductions occur along temporal hypersurfaces in Minkowski space. They conclude that the covariant state reduction theory of Hellwig and Kraus does not apply. In Part I of this paper we disagree with this interpretation of the A-A experiment, and show the adequacy of the H-K theory. In Part II we examine the belief that H-K reductions produce self contradicting causal loops, and/or give rise to absurd boundary conditions. These objections to the theory are shown to be unfounded.

quant-ph↗