Quantum physics suggests that as the ultimate observer that I decide my own future, have decided my past and determine by my own actions in the present, that i somehow by my very thoughts can control my life and my environment to some degree. It seems strange to me that when you pray to a god of some sort and nothing happens,( this seems rational because there is no god), Isn't prayer a way to control your own environment and life? So why does nothing happen if what Quantim Physics suggests is true?Is it what we are praying for or who we are praying too that may make a difference? Could this explain the phenomenon that is called "religious experience". Could a "religious experience" itself actually be Quantum Physics at work and if so, how do we diseminate this knowlege to people who continue to believe in supersticion?
2006-07-20 03:04:41 · 5 answers · asked by Ray H 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
I agree with your view on how the 'free will' and 'wishing for better' may be understood in framework of quantum physics. I think most physicists realized this during last half-century. Of course observation vs. evolution continue to be a source of thought and possible new development in quantum physics (good thing is that with quantum computing there is now more attention to the subject).
But I doubt you can explain anything to believers. Unless a person has good education and some critical thinking ability, he/she has difficulty accepting reality and needs something much simpler ('cut-off'), preferably confirmed by authority, to avoid thinking. Religious framework provides that.
Specifically about the praying phenomenon - my answer would be 'may be', even 'probably'. I guess you can get both 'absolutely' and 'no way' from a physicist. It is everybody's guess right now whether the quantum uncertainly, amplified by human complexity, may have such effects. Sooner or later this issue will become clearly resolved and explained in science, with certain answer - whether it is 'no, prayer is nothing' or 'yes, prayer does something in such and such way'. Still, even after that, believers will believe in what they believe. A believer is normally behind science by a few centuries.
2006-07-20 08:16:43 · answer #1 · answered by Atheist 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I just came across similar thinking the other day. I was having some problems a little while ago and a friend at work told me that she prayed for me. Knowing that I don't believe in god, she said that she prayed anyways and although she doesn't know if that is what made things better, she did it anyway. I then told her that certain "things" like quantum mechanical phenomena are dependant on the observer, so you do have some sort of "control" or "influence" on your environment, and then thanked her for her thoughts. However, these effects are observed on the quantum scale, not the macroscopic, so I would have to say that this is a similar situation to the Cat in the Box scenario, which basically tells us that we do not understand the connection between the realms of the big and the small completely, yet. If you are not familiar with Schrodinger's Cat, then i suggest you look it up for a better understanding of my answer. The truth is, no one knows the answer to this question. Like I said before, I don't believe in god myself, but the concentration of one or more people in the form of prayer might someday be recognized as a useful way to influence your environment, even if it has nothing to do with the god that you are praying to.
2006-07-20 12:37:44 · answer #2 · answered by Thomas P 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Maybe it is a lack of looking inward. The person that is praying is failing to see that they are the ones that have the control, they believe that God will make things better and therefore do not use there mind to capacity. Or maybe their praying for one thing their subconscience is really saying the opposite, only they are not intune enough with themselves to realize that this is the case.
2006-07-20 10:12:03 · answer #3 · answered by Krissy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Quantum physics suggests no such thing.
That's some new age philosophy that has hijacked quantum physics' language to justify itself.
So stop wasting time typing long, silly questions.
2006-07-20 10:15:09 · answer #4 · answered by Iridium190 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Nice try - but this paper gets a C for original thought but a D for research
2006-07-20 11:42:39 · answer #5 · answered by Ron K 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋