The Problem of Conscious Observation in Quantum Mechanical Description

Abstract

Epistemological consequences of quantum nonlocality (entanglement) are discussed under the assumption of a universally valid Schrödinger equation in the absence of hidden variables. This leads inevitably to a {\it many-minds interpretation}. The recent foundation of quasi-classical neural states in the brain (based on environmental decoherence) permits in principle a formal description of the whole chain of measurement interactions, including the {\it behavior} of conscious observers, without introducing any intermediate classical concepts (for macroscopic "pointer states") or "observables" (for microscopic particle positions and the like) --- thus consistently formalizing Einstein's {\it ganzer langer Weg} from the observed to the observer in quantum mechanical terms.

Published version: new abstract, minor changes, some new references. 14 pages, Latex

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