We have seen remarkable progress in our detailed understanding of the physical world, from the smallest constituents of atoms to the remotest distances seen by telescopes. However, we have yet to explore the phenomenon of consciousness. Can physical things be conscious or is consciousness something else, forever outside the range of physics? And how does consciousness interact with physical things? A lively account of quantum theory and its puzzles, Conscious Mind in the Physical World examines two developments in particular that have altered the context of discussions about consciousness. One is computer technology, which allows us to make machines that can calculate at speeds far greater than the human brain, while the other is the study of the microscopic world. The book explores philosophical issues such as idealism and free will and speculates on the relationship of consciousness to quantum mechanics. This resource will stimulate physicists with an interest in philosophy, philosophers interested in physics, and anyone fascinated about the waking state of the mind.

Conscious Mind in the Physical World

Politics & Social Sciences

Squires, Euan J.

Philosophy

Inst of Physics Pub Inc

The Mystery of the Quantum World

Quantum mechanics stands as one of the most remarkable achievements of the 20th century, providing startling insight into the nature of matter and a spectacularly successful predictive theory. However, while the predictive ability of the quantum theory has been rigorously tested time and again, so that it now satisfies any criterion of reliability as a tool of scientific inquiry, fundamental difficulties remain with its interpretation. The Mystery of the Quantum World, Second Edition introduces the philosophical issues raised by the success of the quantum theory and lucidly outlines the different points of view adopted by various physicists striving to understand the meaning underlying the theories used every day. The author encourages you to see how the most successful of physical theories is relevant to issues outside physics. Revised and expanded, this edition includes a new chapter that introduces the most important of the recent developments in quantum theory. The authoritative selection of topics ensures that readers already familiar with the first edition of the book will extend their knowledge of quantum theory, and those with no previous knowledge acquire an insight into this fascinating world.

Science & Math

History & Philosophy

CRC-Press

Quantum mechanics stands as one of the most remarkable achievements of the twentieth century: at once a new and startling insight into the nature of matter and a spectacularly successful predictive theory. However, while the predictive abilty of the quantum theory has been rigorously tested time and time again, so that it now satisfies any criterion of reliability as a tool of scientific inquiry, surprisingly fundamental difficulties remain with its interpretation. This book introduces the general reader to the philosophical issues raised by the success of the quantum theory. What exactly is the wavefunction, the mathematical device that resides at the heart of the theory? In what sense does this device represent reality? The wavefunction is believed to describe the probability of a system's behaving in a particular way, yet the equations which describe the wave function are totally deterministic: what then is the relationship between determinism and ramdomness in the microworld? Does this tell us anything about the freedom of will in a world governed by the immutable world of physics? Do these laws rely for their existence on the presence of concious observers? Euan Squires explains to a non-specialised readership how these profound difficulties arise in the simplest of experimental arrangements. He outlines with great clarity the different points of view adopted by various schools of physicists who are striving to understand the meaning underlying the theories they use every day. The reader is encouraged to see how this most successful of physical theories is relevant to issues outside physics - even to the existence of God.other_titles

Physics

Taylor&Francis

To Acknowledge the Wonder: The Story of Particle Physics

Adam Hilger

This enthralling book traces the story of fundamental physics, explaining the latest theories of the nature and structure of space, time and matter. Starting from first principles, the author takes the reader step by step through successively deeper levels of physics in a clear, logical fashion, emphasizing understanding of the phenomena he describes. Everyone with a desire to discover more about the way theoretical physicists look at the world will want to read this book, and will experience a growing sense of wonder as the story unfolds. By concentrating on the elegant concepts underlying the subject and avoiding complex mathematical detail, the author is able to tell a story accessible to higher-school pupils and undergraduates, and general readers with a scientific background.

To Acknowledge the Wonder, The Story of Fundamental Physics

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