QUANTUM METAPHYSICS - E-thesis

state that does not show up in the visible material world even though it provides the probabilities
of all possible occurrences. In the quantum frame of reference, our mental states may be
something real even if they are not directly reducible to material particles moving in space-time.
The psycho-physical question of the relationship between mind and matter can thus be assessed
in a wider context than was previously possible. The concept of quantum state might help in
elucidating the subtle inter-relationship between res extensa and res cogitans. Quite clearly, what
we really want to understand in this discussion is the question of how such non-physical things
as purposes, deliberations, plans, decisions, theories, intentions and values can have a part in
bringing about physical changes in the physical world. Popper calls this Compton’s problem and
believes it to be more important than the classical mind-body problem of Descartes, even if the
whole problem has rarely been considered by philosophers. 836 The “hard problem” of how
physical processes in the brain give rise to subjective experience is not the most important one,
we should be asking in what manner we can describe these different aspects of reality within a
unified frame of reference.
Popper believed that pace Hume and Laplace and Schlick, it is clearly untrue that all the
tremendous physical changes brought about by our actions can be explained in purely physical
terms, either by a deterministic physical theory or by a stochastic theory as if they were due to
pure chance. He understood that an acceptable solution to either Descartes’ or Compton’s
problem must explain freedom, and must also explain why freedom is not just chance.
Otherwise, a world which includes human creativity and human freedom can only be an illusion.
Mere physical indeterminism is insufficient, we must try to understand how men can be
‘influenced’ or ‘controlled’ by things as abstract as aims, purposes rules or agreements. 837 In his
solution, Popper offers a new theory of evolution and a new model of organism. He tries to solve
the problems of Descartes and Compton by offering a new kind of view of the world - one in
which the physical world is an open system. The evolutionary theory that Popper proposed yields
an immediate solution to the classical Cartesian body-mind problem, and without saying what
the mind is, offers an almost trivial solution to Descartes’ problem. It does so by saying
something about evolution, and thereby about the functions of mind and consciousness. Popper
835 As physical indeterminism asserts that there are at least some exceptions to precise determination, many
physicists such as Compton have welcomed the new theory in enthusiastic terms. It is no longer justifiable to use
physical law as evidence against human freedom. Popper 1972, 217-220
836 Popper 1972, 230-231.
837 Popper 1972, 229-230. Pure chance is no more satisfactory than determinism. Determinists such as Schlick have
put it this way: “...freedom of action, responsibility, and mental sanity cannot reach beyond the realm of causality:
they stop where chance begins ... a higher degree of randomness simply means a higher degree of irresponsibility.
One has to understand that the only alternative to determinism is not just sheer chance.” Popper 1972, 226-228.
325