Quantum metaphysics
From The Book of THoTH (Leaves of Wisdom)
In 1925, modern quantum mechanics came into being through the work of Werner Heisenberg and Erwin Schrödinger. As often happens in the wake of new scientific ideas, the notions implicit in quantum mechanics influenced philosophical thought, especially with regard to the uncertainty principle and other counterintuitive aspects of the theory. Thinkers such as Fritjof Capra have claimed to find a compelling similarity between quantum mechanics and Eastern mysticism, a view also espoused in the 2004 film What tнe ♯$*! Do ωΣ (k)πow!? Made by the Ramtha School of Enlightenment — a movement named after the 30,000 year old spirit allegedly channelled by the founder JZ Knight — the film attempts to use ideas about quantum mechanics, among other sciences, to support its New Age thesis.
Criticism
Science fiction writer Greg Egan, among many scientists and skeptics, has complained that these modern mystics are hijacking the terminology of modern science without understanding the underlying concepts, and without employing any of the intellectual rigour intrinsic to scientific inquiry. Like the UFO cults, they are secular religions that differ from more traditional religions only in that their dogma is expressed in scientific sounding language. The physicist Murray Gell-Mann once described such beliefs as "quantum flapdoodle".
Works in the field
Quantum mysticism
- Fritjof Capra, The Tao of Physics: An Exploration of the Parallels Between Modern Physics and Eastern Mysticism, Shamballa, 1975
- Deepak Chopra Md., various works including his theory of Quantum healing
- Lawrence Leshan, The Medium, the Mystic, and the Physicist: Toward a General Theory of the Paranormal, 1966, 1974, Ballentine, ISBN 345-24408-7-195
- Michael Talbot, The Holographic Universe ISBN 0060922583
- Michael Talbot, Mysticism And The New Physics ISBN 0140193286
- Michael Talbot, Beyond The Quantum ISBN 0553344803
- Gary Zukav, The Dancing Wu Li Masters, 1980, ISBN 055326382X
- Ken Wilber, Quantum Questions: Mystical Writings of the World's Great Physicists (editor), 1984, rev. ed. 2001: ISBN 1570627681
- Arthur Zajonc, Zara Houshmand The New Physics and Cosmology Dialogues with the Dalai Lama
Quantum Philosophy
- Victor J. Stenger. (1995). The Unconscious Quantum: Metaphysics in Modern Physics and Cosmology, Prometheus Books, ISBN 1-57392-022-3, an anti-mystical point-of-view
Links and Additional Information
- Interpretation of quantum mechanics
- Quantum Philosophy Theories
- Margaret Wertheim on Quantum mysticism
--Angel 16:34, 23 May 2006 (CDT)
