Volume 26: Pages 15-20, 2013

Quantum measurements are physical processes. Comment on “Consciousness and the double-slit interference pattern: Six experiments,” by Dean Radin et al. [Phys. Essays 25, 157 (2012)]

Massimiliano Sassoli de Bianchi ^a)

Laboratorio di Autoricerca di Base, 6914 Carona, Switzerland

The validity of the assertion that some recent double-slit interference experiments, conducted by Radin et al. [Phys. Essays 25, 157 (2012)], would have tested the possible role of the experimenter's mind in the collapse of the quantum wave function is questioned. It is emphasized that quantum mechanics does not need any psychophysical ingredient to explain the measurement processes, and therefore parapsychologists should not resort to the latter to support the possibility of psychokinesis, but search for more convincing explanations.

La validité de l'affirmation selon laquelle certaines expériences récentes avec un système optique de double fente, conduites par Radin et al. [Phys. Essays 25, 157 (2012)], auraient testé le rôle possible de la conscience dans la réduction du paquet d'onde en mécanique quantique, est disputée. On souligne que la mécanique quantique n'a pas besoin d'un ingrédient psychophysique pour expliquer les processus de la mesure et que par conséquent les parapsychologues ne devraient pas recourir à ce dernier pour soutenir la possibilité de la psychokinèse, mais chercher des explications plus convaincantes.

Keywords: Quantum Measurement Problem, Hidden Variables, Hidden-Measurements Approach, Mind-Matter Interaction, Consciousness

Received: July 3, 2011; Accepted: October 29, 2012; Published Online: February 7, 2013

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