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17A Relational Time-Symmetric Framework for Analyzing the Quantum Computational SpeedupFoundations of Physics 49 (10): 1200-1230. 2019.The usual representation of quantum algorithms is limited to the process of solving the problem. We extend it to the process of setting the problem. Bob, the problem setter, selects a problem-setting by the initial measurement. Alice, the problem solver, unitarily computes the corresponding solution and reads it by the final measurement. This simple extension creates a new perspective from which to see the quantum algorithm. First, it highlights the relevance of time-symmetric quantum mechanics …Read more
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Time and consciousness: The uneasy bearing of relativity on the mind-body problemIn Stuart R. Hameroff, Alfred W. Kaszniak & Alwyn Scott (eds.), Toward a Science of Consciousness: The First Tucson Discussions and Debates, Mit Press. 1996.
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6What’s the Mind-Body Problem With You Anyway? Prolegomena to any Scientific Discussion of ConsciousnessIn Alexander Batthyany & Avshalom C. Elitzur (eds.), Mind and its place in the world: non-reductionist approaches to the ontology of consciousness, Ontos. pp. 15-22. 2006.
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27Interaction-Free Effects Between Distant AtomsFoundations of Physics 48 (1): 1-16. 2018.A Gedanken experiment is presented where an excited and a ground-state atom are positioned such that, within the former’s half-life time, they exchange a photon with 50% probability. A measurement of their energy state will therefore indicate in 50% of the cases that no photon was exchanged. Yet other measurements would reveal that, by the mere possibility of exchange, the two atoms have become entangled. Consequently, the “no exchange” result, apparently precluding entanglement, is non-locally …Read more
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Beyond Wavefunctions: A Time-Symmetric Nonlocal Ontology for Quantum MechanicsIn Stefano Gattei & Nimrod Bar-Am (eds.), Encouraging Openness: Essays for Joseph Agassi on the Occasion of His 90th Birthday, Springer Verlag. 2017.
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Time and consciousness: The uneasy bearing of relativity on the mind-body problemIn Stuart R. Hameroff, Alfred W. Kaszniak & Alwyn Scott (eds.), Toward a Science of Consciousness: The First Tucson Discussions and Debates, Mit Press. 1996.
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1904Consciousness makes a difference: A reluctant dualist’s confessionIn Alexander Batthyany & Avshalom C. Elitzur (eds.), Irreducibly Conscious. Selected Papers on Consciousness, Winter. 2009.This paper’s outline is as follows. In sections 1-3 I give an exposi¬tion of the Mind-Body Problem, with emphasis on what I believe to be the heart of the problem, namely, the Percepts-Qualia Nonidentity and its incompatibility with the Physical Closure Paradigm. In 4 I present the “Qualia Inaction Postulate” underlying all non-interactionist theo¬ries that seek to resolve the above problem. Against this convenient postulate I propose in section 5 the “Bafflement Ar¬gument,” which is this paper'…Read more
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57On the two aspects of time: The distinction and its implications (review)Foundations of Physics 18 (12): 1159-1193. 1988.The contemporary view of the fundamental role of time in physics generally ignores its most obvious characteric, namely its flow. Studies in the foundations of relativistic mechanics during the past decade have shown that the dynamical evolution of a system can be treated in a manifestly covariant way, in terms of the solution of a system of canonical Hamilton type equations, by considering the space-time coordinates and momenta ofevents as its fundamental description. The evolution of the event…Read more
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3Pseudoscience and the Paranormal: A Critical Examination of the Evidence (review)Journal of Mind and Behavior 12 (1): 171-174. 1991.The first reaction with which one is likely to greet such a book is "at last!" Psychology, is an inevitable side-product of its modern success, has become a major contributor to the growing pseudoscience literature. A careful examination of this nonesense industry, and of the motives behind it, is an undertaking worthy of a university psychologist. Terence Hines, known to readers of this journal from a lively debate following his harsh criticism of a sloppy psychology book , has now undertaken t…Read more
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24Recurrent quantum neural network and its applicationsIn Jack A. Tuszynski (ed.), The Emerging Physics of Consciousness, Springer Verlag. pp. 327--350. 2006.
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44Undoing quantum measurements: novel twists to the physical account of timeIn World Scientific (ed.), Physics of Emergence and Organization, . pp. 61--75. 2008.
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14Life and Mind, Past and Future: Schrodinger's Vision Fifty Years LaterPerspectives in Biology and Medicine 38 (3): 433-458. 1995.
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60Can Special Relativity Be Derived from Galilean Mechanics Alone?Foundations of Physics 39 (5): 499-509. 2009.Special relativity is based on the apparent contradiction between two postulates, namely, Galilean vs. c-invariance. We show that anomalies ensue by holding the former postulate alone. In order for Galilean invariance to be consistent, it must hold not only for bodies’ motions, but also for the signals and forces they exchange. If the latter ones do not obey the Galilean version of the Velocities Addition Law, invariance is violated. If, however, they do, causal anomalies, information loss and c…Read more
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81Quantum mechanical interaction-free measurementsFoundations of Physics 23 (7): 987-997. 1993.A novel manifestation of nonlocality of quantum mechanics is presented. It is shown that it is possible to ascertain the existence of an object in a given region of space without interacting with it. The method might have practical applications for delicate quantum experiments
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20Consciousness and the incompleteness of the physical explanation of behaviorJournal of Mind and Behavior 10 (1): 1-20. 1989.
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21Why dont we know what Mary knows? Baars' reversing the problem of qualiaJournal of Consciousness Studies 4 (4): 319. 1997.Baars’ Global Workspace theory suggests that consciousness functions as a gateway, facilitating focused access to any part of the brain. While this hypothesis does not address the ‘hard problems’, namely, the very nature of consciousness, it constrains any theory that attempts to do so and provides important insights into the relation between consciousness and cognition. Many questions have found new answers once they were turned upside down. In medicine, for example, important discoveries have …Read more
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Neither idealism nor materialism: A reply to SnyderJournal of Mind and Behavior 303 (2): 303-307. 1990.Lack of distinction between the formalism of quantum mechanics and its various interpretations leads to some popular misrepresentations. As long as none of the interpretations can present an unambiguous empirical validation, their status remains purely philosophical. These arguments are shown to apply to Snyder's claims. Next it is shown that Snyder's critcism does not address the main points in the argument concerning the physical impact of consciousness. The reply concludes with some reflectio…Read more
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29Quo Vadis Quantum Mechanics? (edited book)Springer. 2005.So quantum mechanics has been an amazing success story. I stress this point at the outset, for two reasons. First, it is, unfortunately, all too easy to get used to success. Nowadays, both physicists, for whom the various quantum theories have ...
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42Consciousness can no longer be ignoredJournal of Consciousness Studies 2 (4): 353-58. 1995.Moody's thought-experiment invoking zombies to demonstrate the uniqueness of consciousness is commended. His conclusions accord well with previous ones arrived at by Penrose, Chalmers and myself. All these works lead to a disturbing conclusion: onsciousness, as something distinct from the brain processes, interferes with physical reality. Ergo, it is no longer possible to adhere to any of the modern theories of mind that preserve the completeness of physics. This conclusion is, in principle, tes…Read more
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Neither Idealism Nor Materialism: A Reply to SnyderJournal of Mind and Behavior 12 (2): 303-308. 1991.Lack of distinction between the formalism of quantum mechanics and its various interpretations leads to some popular misrepresentations. As long as none of the interpretations can present an unambiguous empirical validation, their status remains purely philosophical. These arguments are shown to apply to Snyder's claims. Next it is shown that Snyder's critcism does not address the main points in the argument concerning the physical impact of consciousness. The reply concludes with some reflectio…Read more
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185Mind and its place in the world: non-reductionist approaches to the ontology of consciousness (edited book)Ontos. 2006.By presenting a wide spectrum of non-reductive theories, the volume endeavors to overcome the dichotomy between dualism and monism that keeps plaguing the debate in favor of new and more differentiated positions.
Areas of Interest
Philosophy of Mind |
Philosophy of Physical Science |