Given the discoveries about the universe through quantum mechanics, that reality a wave of probability that collapses when observed and that the observed reality produced is a creation of the observer, can we safely say that reality and the observer are one and the same? Does this not parallel every wisdom tradition in recorded history?
2007-01-30 23:05:46 · 7 answers · asked by james h 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
There are certain similarities in the pursuit of science and religion I won't say God. Eastern philosophy says that God is everywhere. It may also mean there is potentiality of finding God anywhere. QM says for an hydrogen atom in ground state there is finite probability of finding electron everywhere. Relativity professes that space time and matter cannot be separated. They are a one composite existence. Eastern philosophy says that everything is a manifestation of GOD. At present it is not possible to conceptualize what is soul either in science or in eastern philosophy. Eastern philosophy talks of reincarnation; science says that every new born is recycling of carbon oxygen, hydrogen and all other elements! Only difference is science is discussed in public domain and is based or ultimately connected to concrete experience. On the other hand eastern religious thinkers think that realization of God is a complete private experience which can never be shared. I believe (this act being religious) that science one day would bring the realization of God in public domain!
2007-01-31 02:18:21 · answer #1 · answered by Let'slearntothink 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The observer perspective interpretation of quantum mechanics is somewhat misleading. All it really says is that the wave state of a system is not fixed until something interacts with it. That interaction is usually presented as an observation, but it could simply be an interaction with a passing particle for instance. It is not of philosphical importance, and we cannot at all say that reality and the observer are the same thing in the way you imply.
In other words, if reality were different the observer would see something different, but if the observer were different reality would remain the same.
As applied to religious wisdom as you imply, I would contend that science at this juncture has made the existence of god very, very, very unlikely and certainly 100% unnecessary. Putting god in the equation makes answers harder to arrive at not easier.
2007-01-31 08:55:31 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Unfortunately, no. The idea that modern physics resembles Eastern religions came about because eastern religions were a popular fad at the time. So the young physicists working with the mysteries of quantum reality couched everything they could not exporess well into eastern mystical terms. The reality of the quantum equations is much stranger than the mysticism of religion.
2007-01-31 07:17:10 · answer #3 · answered by U-98 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
It isn't so much observation by humans, but general interaction with decohered particles (the macroscopic environment) that, in effect, collapses a wave function.
The act of observation requires some kind of interaction with an environment of particles (e.g., photons strike an object and bounce back to our eyes, a detector, or what have you). If the interacting particle is decoherent (i.e., we know something about its position and velocity) enough that we (in a macroscopic sense) can use it to measure a particle in question, it must necessarily transfer its decoherence to the subject in order to comply with the Uncertainty Principle.
2007-01-31 08:00:25 · answer #4 · answered by Tangent . 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
No. keep searching for god, keep exploring physics too, both are great human endeavours if done in a spirit of humility
2007-01-31 07:20:17 · answer #5 · answered by g_orwell 2 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Is this still ltrue for string theory?
2007-01-31 07:15:42 · answer #6 · answered by Alice S 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Not at all bafana
2007-01-31 07:15:34 · answer #7 · answered by guineous 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋