Abstract: The classic problem of how the mind and body relate, which is part of the general problem of how the physical universe may have given rise to consciousness, cannot be solved with a purely physical approach. In an attempt to locate a region of nature where mind and matter closely meet, many theorists both in and out of physics have looked to the quantum field. In their article "The Misuse of Quantum Physics in Psychic Literature" that appears elsewhere in this Journal issue, Jack A. Mroczkowski and Alexis P. Malozemoff proffered the accusation that these theorists engaged in "psychic" …
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Abstract: The classic problem of how the mind and body relate, which is part of the general problem of how the physical universe may have given rise to consciousness, cannot be solved with a purely physical approach. In an attempt to locate a region of nature where mind and matter closely meet, many theorists both in and out of physics have looked to the quantum field. In their article "The Misuse of Quantum Physics in Psychic Literature" that appears elsewhere in this Journal issue, Jack A. Mroczkowski and Alexis P. Malozemoff proffered the accusation that these theorists engaged in "psychic" speculation, a misuse of quantum mechanics, and a misappropriate of science to further a spiritual agenda. In this invited response, I argue that the use of quantum in this way is entirely correct and suggests a radical paradigm shift.
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Notes
"[The Journal of Near-Death Studies] is the only peer-reviewed scholarly journal (ISSN 0891-4494) devoted exclusively to the field of near-death studies. It is cross-disciplinary and published quarterly."
This article is part of the following collection of related materials.
Journal of Near-Death Studies
The Journal of Near-Death Studies is a scholarly peer-reviewed journal devoted to the field of near-death studies. It is published on a quarterly basis by the International Association for Near-Death Studies. The Journal began publication in 1982 under the name Anabiosis which was changed to its current title in 1986 with the start of Volume 6.
Abstract: In this paper, we address an unfortunate growing trend involving misuse of quantum physics in psychic and healing literature, including literature on near-death experiences. After a brief introduction to quantum physics, we provide examples and explanations of misuse. Such misuse encourages undue skepticism of what might otherwise be valuable reading. We conclude with recommendations to authors and publishers about how to guard against this problem.
Abstract: We provide a rejoinder to the responses of Chopra, Goswami, Kastrup, Radin, and van Lommel to our article "Quantum Misuse in Psychic Literature" that opens this journal issue. Our comments may be summarized in two main themes: These authors failed to recognize (a) how and why the von Neumann concept that only consciousness can collapse the quantum wavefunction has been largely rejected by physicists today and that quantum collapse is now understood to be able to occur without a conscious human observer, and (b) that their efforts to justify a universal consciousness on the basis of presently understood nonlocality are flawed. Also, in our view, from a quantum physics perspective the universe may be much less entangled and holistic than psi authors often assume. In conclusion, we contend that quantum misuse by psi authors remains a serious problem, undermining the credibility of psi research. We provide suggestions to help psi authors avoid this problem in the future.