In trying to understand the atom, physicists built quantum mechanics, the most successful theory in science and the basis of one-third of our economy. They found, to their embarrassment, that with their theory, physics encounters consciousness. Authors Bruce Rosenblum and Fred Kuttner explain all this in non-technical terms with help from some fanciful stories and anecdotes about the theory's developers. They present the quantum mystery honestly, emphasizing what is and what is not speculation.

Quantum Enigma's description of the experimental quantum facts, and the quantum theory explaining them, is undisputed. Interpreting what it all means, however, is heatedly controversial. But every interpretation of quantum physics involves consciousness. Rosenblum and Kuttner therefore turn to exploring consciousness itself--and encounter quantum mechanics. Free will and anthropic principles become crucial issues, and the connection of consciousness with the cosmos suggested by some leading quantum cosmologists is mind-blowing. Readers are brought to a boundary where the particular expertise of physicists is no longer the only sure guide. They will find, instead, the facts and hints provided by quantum mechanics and the ability to speculate for themselves.

In the few decades since the Bell's theorem experiments established the existence of entanglement (Einstein's "spooky action"), interest in the foundations, and the mysteries, of quantum mechanics has accelerated. In recent years, physicists, philosophers, computer engineers, and even biologists have expanded our realization of the significance of quantum phenomena. This second edition includes such advances. The authors have also drawn on many responses from readers and instructors to improve the clarity of the book's explanations.

Table of Contents

1. Einstein Called It "Spooky": And I Wish I Had Known

2. The Visit to Neg Ahne Poe: A Quantum Parable

3. Our Newtonian Worldview: A Universal Law of Motion

4. All the Rest of Classical Physics

5. How the Quantum Was Forced on Physics

6. Schrodinger's Equation: The New Universal Law of Motion

7. The Two-Slit Experiment: The Observer Problem

8. Our Skeleton in the Closet

9. One-Third of Our Economy

10. Wonderful, Wonderful Copenhagen

11. Schrodinger's Controversial Cat

12. Seeking a Real World: EPR

13. Spooky Actions: Bell's Theorem

14. Experimental Metaphysics

15. What's Going On? Interpreting the Quantum Enigma

16. The Mystery of Consciousness

17. The Mystery Meets the Enigma

18. Consciousness and the Quantum Cosmos

Review

"A remarkable and readable presentation."

--Charles Townes, winner of the Nobel Prize in Physics

"This book is unique.… The clearest expositions I have ever seen."

--George Greenstein, Professor of Astronomy, Amherst College

"An immensely important and exciting book."

--Raymond Chester Russ, editor of Journal of Mind and Behavior

"Exposes the hidden skeleton in the physicist's closet."

--Nick Herbert, author of Quantum Reality

Book Description

A brilliant account of the intersection of quantum mechanics and human consciousness

About the Author

Bruce Rosenblum is currently Professor of Physics, emeritus, at the University of California at Santa Cruz. He has also consulted extensively for government and industry on technical and policy issues. His research has moved from molecular physics to condensed matter physics, and, after a foray into biophysics, has focused on fundamental issues in quantum mechanics.

Fred Kuttner is a Lecturer in the Department of cat the University of California at Santa Cruz. He devotes most of his time to teaching physics after a career in industry, including two technology startups, and a second career in academic administration. His research interests have included the low temperature propoerties o solids and the thermal properties of magnets. For the last several years he has worked on the foundations of quantum mechanics and the implications of the quantum theory.