Scientific Proof

 

These articles are addressed to everyone.  But they are also written to engage those with technical minds who value science, aiming to explore philosophy with as much scientific rigor as possible. While traditional science focuses on the external world and often relegates the inner world to psychology, the reality of inner experience—universal to all humans—deserves thoughtful, consistent exploration guided by critical thinking.

Scientifically minded individuals often move beyond religious doctrines, relying on their internal "sense-maker" to discern truth. For them, experimental proof is paramount. Consider Pierre Louis's revolutionary 1830s study on bloodletting for pneumonia, which revealed that patients who avoided the practice had higher survival rates. This evidence-based approach transformed medicine, prioritizing empirical results over entrenched beliefs.

The inner world, however, operates differently from the external. It encompasses thoughts, feelings, and emotional experiences—dimensions that elude full explanation through science alone. Ignoring these aspects risks reducing life to a mechanical process, devoid of joy, depth, and meaning. A purely fact-based perspective would fail to capture the richness of human existence.

When a scientifically inclined individual meditates, they step into the role of an observer, exploring their inner reality. They witness thoughts, emotions, and energies as they arise. Amid this process, they may notice an inner voice that shifts between trivial chatter and profound insight. In this state of observation, they uncover a part of themselves that watches without judgment. This observer, often referred to as the true self or soul, introduces a spiritual dimension to the exploration of consciousness. Recognizing the presence of this observer may serve as a foundational step toward understanding the nature of awareness.

Meditation itself can be approached as an experiment, a systematic method for exploring the inner world. Sitting quietly, observing, and listening to what arises mirrors the principles of the scientific method. Just as external experiments rely on careful data collection and replication, meditation demands disciplined and consistent observation. This makes meditation not only a deeply personal practice but also a profoundly scientific one, offering insights into the nature of the self and the inner workings of the mind.  

The Limits of Observation of Our Inner Life

 

Man and Woman Consulting

To explore our inner life, we can experiment with different approaches to find better ways of living. However, life often presents unexpected variables that complicate our personal experiments. For example, you might wake up feeling full of energy after staying up late, seemingly contradicting the idea that adequate sleep is essential for energy. Yet context matters—perhaps the previous night, you experienced a surge of joy and excitement after meeting someone who inspired you. A few months later, after a breakup, you might feel drained and exhausted even after sleeping well. This highlights that energy is not tied solely to physical factors like sleep but is also deeply influenced by emotions and life circumstances. Such experiences teach us that personal experiments need to adapt and evolve as we gain more insight into ourselves.

Biases and external influences further complicate our understanding. You might take a supplement and feel an improvement, only to discover later that it was a placebo. Once you learn this, the benefits seem to vanish, likely because confirmation bias initially shaped your perception. Initially, you believed supporting information about the supplement’s efficacy, but when this belief was challenged, your perception changed.

When tackling complex issues beyond our expertise, seeking expert guidance or leveraging tools like artificial intelligence can be invaluable. For instance, I used AI to analyze which gasoline would provide both good mileage and low cost. It turns out that the cheapest option may not always deliver the best fuel efficiency, meaning it might not be a bargain after all. The better gasolines have what is called a high tier rating. By combining personal experience with expert insights, we can make more informed decisions and refine our understanding of the world.

 

Consciousness and Quantum Physics May Be Linked

 

The brain works through brain cells called neurons and the connectors between brain cells called synapses.  This was the old standard theory. Now physicist Roger Penrose and anesthesiologist  Stuart Hameroff have proposed a new theory.  Within the cells of the human body there are microtubules which give structure to the cells and help hold there shape.  What the new theory suggests is that the microtubules in our brain cells are what allows us to have consciousness.

 

This theory is called. Orchestrated objective reduction (Orch OR),  OR suggests consciousness doesn't just emerge from the brain cells and synapses but also from these microtubules.  The microtubules are like hollow pipes and within these pipes, quantum processes may be going on.

 

Quantum physics, the scientific study of the smallest atomic particles and their interactions, has unveiled profound discoveries that have reshaped our understanding of the universe. Nuclear power and weapons testify to the truth of these results obtained through quantum physics study. The reader is invited to investigate quantum physics as it seems that it is probably a link to the understanding of mechanisms of consciousness and the inner life.  Here are some of the most important findings about this branch of physics:

Wave-Particle Duality

Light and matter exhibit both particle-like and wave-like behavior. For example, electrons can behave like waves, creating interference patterns, but also act like discrete particles when measured. This duality is fundamental to quantum physics.

The Uncertainty Principle

Werner Heisenberg's uncertainty principle states that you cannot precisely measure both the position and momentum of a particle at the same time. This limitation arises from the intrinsic nature of quantum systems, not from measurement errors.

Superposition

Particles can exist in multiple states simultaneously until observed or measured. For example, an electron can "be" in different energy states at once, collapsing into a specific state only when observed.

Entanglement

Two particles can become entangled, meaning their states are linked, even if separated by vast distances. Measuring one particle instantly affects the state of the other, a phenomenon Albert Einstein famously called "spooky action at a distance."

Quantum Tunneling

Particles can pass through barriers that they seemingly shouldn't be able to, due to their wave-like nature. This principle underlies technologies like scanning tunneling microscopes and nuclear fusion.

Quantum Decoherence

Quantum systems lose their "quantum-ness" (superposition and entanglement) when they interact with their environment. This transition from quantum behavior to classical behavior helps explain why we don't observe quantum effects in everyday life.

The Observer Effect

The act of observation or measurement alters the state of a quantum system. This insight challenges classical notions of objectivity and has profound philosophical implications.

Quantum Field Theory

Quantum physics combined with special relativity leads to quantum field theory, which describes how particles interact through fields. This theory forms the basis of the Standard Model of particle physics, explaining forces like electromagnetism and the behavior of fundamental particles.

Higgs Boson Discovery

The discovery of the Higgs boson in 2012 confirmed the existence of the Higgs field, which gives particles mass. This finding was a milestone in quantum field theory.

Quantum Information and Computing

Quantum physics underpins the principles of quantum computing, where qubits exploit superposition and entanglement to process information exponentially faster than classical computers for certain tasks.

Vacuum Fluctuations and Zero-Point Energy

Even "empty" space teems with activity due to quantum fluctuations. This idea explains phenomena like the Casimir effect and is central to understanding the universe's energy structure.

 

So you can see that quantum physics is very complicated and often times does not seem to be logical. 

 

Back to the OR Theory

If the OR Theory is true, the theory offers a bold perspective: that consciousness may be deeply connected to the fabric of the universe itself.

 

Recent research has provided compelling support for the quantum model of consciousness over traditional classical physics theories. A study led by Wellesley College professor Mike Wiest and his undergraduate team demonstrated that drugs targeting microtubules within neurons delay the onset of unconsciousness caused by anesthetic gases. These findings suggest that anesthetics act on microtubules to induce unconsciousness, aligning with the quantum perspective. “Since we don’t know of another classical way that anesthetic binding to microtubules would generally reduce brain activity and cause unconsciousness, this finding supports the quantum model of consciousness,”

 

Wiest explains. This discovery could revolutionize neuroscience, offering new insights into consciousness and its broader implications, including mental illness treatment and our connection to the universe.

For decades, neuroscientists have grappled with the question: what is the physical basis of consciousness? Classical physics has traditionally dominated this field, but a minority of researchers argue that consciousness arises from quantum phenomena—specifically, quantum vibrations in microtubule proteins inside neurons. Wiest’s team’s findings add weight to this theory, suggesting that the quantum nature of microtubules may play a critical role in the mind-brain connection.

 

The implications are profound. If consciousness is indeed a quantum phenomenon, this understanding could transform how we view the mind and its relationship to the physical world. Wiest envisions breakthroughs in understanding how anesthesia works, how consciousness is affected by conditions like Alzheimer’s and schizophrenia, and how drugs like lithium stabilize mood. Furthermore, this quantum perspective challenges the classical view, proposing a more holistic connection between consciousness and the universe. "When it becomes accepted that the mind is a quantum phenomenon, we will have entered a new era in our understanding of what we are," says Wiest, who plans to expand this research and write a book to make the theory accessible to a general audience.

Quantum physics itself offers a unique lens through which to view consciousness. With its reliance on probabilistic states and the observer effect, quantum mechanics suggests that observation might actively shape reality.

 

 While speculative, this theory connects the quantum realm to subjective experience, raising questions about free will, the self, and whether consciousness plays a role in collapsing quantum wave functions.

If consciousness is indeed linked to quantum processes, it suggests that the human mind is fundamentally intertwined with the universe’s structure, transcending biological and physical boundaries. This perspective could offer a bridge between science and spirituality, inviting deeper exploration of reality, our place within it, and the possibility of a connection to a higher order—perhaps even to God. While definitive proof remains elusive, this inquiry continues to spark scientific and philosophical debates, blending material understanding with metaphysical wonder.