On the distinction between beables and qualia
History and Philosophy of Physics
2025-02-12 v1 Quantum Physics
Abstract
The link between the de Broglie-Bohm interpretation and the hard problem of consciousness is investigated. We highlight that beables of the de Broglie-Bohm interpretation are not themselves qualia, but are intimately related to qualia. It is then argued that qualia are necessary for the de Broglie-Bohm interpretation, and conversely the de Broglie-Bohm interpretation (or similar theories) are necessary for qualia. Therefore, there is a reflexive two-way relationship between the beables of the de Broglie-Bohm interpretation and qualia such that they support the existence of each other. By using this reflexive argument, the hard problem of consciousness can be addressed via an indirect route.
Cite
@article{arxiv.2502.07705,
title = {On the distinction between beables and qualia},
author = {Adam Brownstein},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2502.07705},
year = {2025}
}