Consciousness and the Universe: Quantum Physics, Evolution, Brain & Mind

A collection of 49 papers on the topic of human consciousness and its relationship to the quantum world. The lead paper is by Penrose who has long argued (and in my mind, very persuasively) for the connection between consciousness and the quantum world. Penrose describes why some of the electro-chemical reactions involved in consciousness are so small in size that they appear to be at the quantum world level. Most, if not all, of the other papers accept Penrose's position. Some of the discussions are a bit difficult to follow, and I certainly did not agree with all of them (e.g., relating to out-of-body or near death experiences and reincarnation), but most will reward the reader with a fuller understanding of space, time, the quantum world, the notorious "measurement problem" and the "hard problem" of human consciousness (how a collection of non-living physical particles swimming in an electro-magnetic field generate the illusion that we are conscious). There is no theory (or at least not in the secular world) that helps explain why we experience certain electro-magnetic waves as "blue" and others as "red" or why we even think we are conscious. Nor is it clear that consciousness has developed to the degree it has in humans because it contributes to survival of the species. Some papers attempt to describe difficulties inherent in the self-referential nature of using our own consciousness to analyze our own consciousness and how the observation of quantum phenomena (such as the collapse of the Shroedinger wave or the two slit experiment) affects not only the phenomenon being observed but also the observer making the observation, making any observation full of uncertainties.. The implications of Goodel's incompleteness theorem is discussed in connection with considering whether the mind computes reality using noncomputable truths, making it impossible for a man-made computer to attain consciousness (unless it is a quantum computer??) Is there an innate field in the universe arising with the original Big Bang that provides consciousness to biological life forms, like the gravity,r electromagnetic or Higgs fields (which supply electro-magnetic forces, gravitation and mass)? Do all particles exhibit elements of consciousness ("panpsychism")? Not all of the articles are easy to read, but for the reader searching for answers, it will be time well spent.

I confess I purchased this book by accident, intending to download the sample but ended up clicking the wrong button by mistake. Oh well ...The book is a very long collection of papers and essays that are somewhat disjointed. The underlying theme, of course, is consciousness, which nobody is able to define. That isn't surprising since the only things that can defined are those that can be objectified, observed and described in terms of other things. Consciousness can only be experienced -- not observed -- thereby making it impossible to define.The arguments presented were all over the map. Some of the papers were thought provoking, such as those discussing out-of-body experiences and reincarnation. There were numerous papers that tried to connect consciousness with quantum mechanics, but they amounted to a lot of hand waving and weren't very convincing in my opinion. [Here's my own rather simplistic explanation of this connection in a nutshell: Quantum mechanics is all about uncertainty. Furthermore, according to Shannon's definition, the term "information" itself is meaningless without assigning a probability to each possible outcome or state, and probability requires uncertainty. Uncertainty is a mental state, which only exists within the context of a mind. Therefore, Mind (consciousness) must be present at the fundamental, quantum mechanical, sub-basement level of reality.]The first paper presented the Penrose-Hameroff model of consciousness based on microtubules in great detail. It was fairly rigorous and well-grounded, but I believe the details would be way over the head of the casual reader.I'm not sure who the intended audience of this book is supposed to be. Probably not science experts, who are already familiar with the theories and research presented in these papers, but certainly not the lay persons who aren't very well-versed in quantum mechanics. I would have given this book a pass had I sampled it beforehand.

This is not easy reading, especially because of frequent typos and the tiny graphics becoming blurred beyond recognition when enlarged.Besides that, there is a wealth of information!

Very informative and thought provoking. Full of many really new concepts

An iteresting collection of assorted ideas about how consciousness might work and how it relates to the universe. Thought provoking and generally readable for the non scientist. Only complaints are that the paper on Neanderthals needs some serious updating and, as with all my kindle books, the typos, some grammar and the unreadable diagrams need improvement.

This book adopts a really multifarious approach and the way it handles consciousness and the universe is not just about Physics but has such unrelated viewpoints as evolution, the working of the brain, the practice of consciousness, shamans etc. etc. Excellent !!!

This is a very comprehensivecoverage of topics which are undoubtedly linked. The question is how. It will take me some time to address this encyclopedic coverage but thus far I am very pleased with what I have read. Whether I have gained full comprehension is the question. But the task will be enjoyable And who knows? Maybe mind-blowing!?

Clear and presice information. It gave me lots to think about. An excellent read.

Bought it as I was super impressed by talks from Stuart and Roger. However this is far too technical.