Consciousness, Quantum Mechanics, and the Limits of Scientific Objectivism
Abstract
Consciousness and quantum mechanics are among the most puzzling phenomena studied in the sciences. Some scholars suggest they are related, though others think this claim commits a "minimization of mystery" fallacy. The aim of this programmatic paper is to draw attention to a less widely discussed parallel between consciousness and quantum mechanics: both challenge the classical objectivist worldview of science. Under certain assumptions, they are each in tension with a package of metaphysical theses -- "non-relationalism", "non-fragmentation", and "one world" -- that jointly make up that worldview. This points to three distinct non-objectivist responses: the "relationalist", "fragmentalist", and "many-subjective-worlds" ones. We will map out their pros and cons.
Keywords
Cite
@article{arxiv.2604.14234,
title = {Consciousness, Quantum Mechanics, and the Limits of Scientific Objectivism},
author = {John B. DeBrota and Christian List},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2604.14234},
year = {2026}
}
Comments
36 pages, 1 figure, 1 table