Quantum Enigma: Physics Encounters Consciousness |  | Authors: Bruce Rosenblum, Fred Kuttner
Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
List Price: $15.95
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Rating:  49 reviews
Sales Rank: 5097
Media: Paperback
Pages: 224
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.7
Dimensions (in): 9.1 x 6 x 0.8
ISBN: 019534250X
Dewey Decimal Number: 530
EAN: 9780195342505
ASIN: 019534250X
Publication Date: June 16, 2008
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Product Description
In trying to understand the atom, physicists built quantum mechanics and found, to their embarrassment, that their theory intimately connects consciousness with the physical world. Quantum Enigma explores what that implies and why some founders of the theory became the foremost objectors to it. Authors Bruce Rosenblum and Fred Kuttner explain all of this in non-technical terms with help from some fanciful stories and anecdotes about the theory's developers. They present the quantum mystery honestly, with an emphasis on 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 controversial. Every interpretation of quantum physics encounters consciousness. Rosenblum and Kuttner therefore turn to exploring consciousness itself--and encounter quantum physics. 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 a sure guide. They will find, instead, the facts and hints provided by quantum mechanics and the ability to speculate for themselves.
"A remarkable and readable presentation of the basic mysteries of science, our universe, and human life. Critically important problems in our understanding are interestingly discussed with perception, depth, and careful objectivity."
--Charles Townes, winner of the Nobel Prize in Physics
"Lively and thought-provoking."
--The Washington Times
"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
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| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 49
 Decent overview, a little weak on consciousness. November 4, 2009
T Rosh (West Coast)
It was a good presentation. They may have overused the Schrodinger box concept a bit. It is very important but not appropriate in all example explanations. Not enough emphasis was given at the end that some of the consciousness theories are barely hypothesis. Actually, the whole discussion of consciousness was very brief and ineffectual. However, that doesn't take away from the overall value of this book.
 If you want a book that will ease your mind and rattle your cage at the same time, this one is well worth the money! November 2, 2009
D. Fowler (Vermont)
Max Planck, Albert Einstein, Niels Bohr, Arthur Compton, Erwin Schröedinger and others were essential contributors to the world of quantum mechanics and theory. Quantum mechanics, according to Bruce Rosenblum and Fred Kuttner in their new book, QUANTUM ENIGMA: Physic Encounters Consciousness, "is the most accurate theory in all science." The fact that one-third of our economic revenue is based on quantum mechanics would most likely elude the average person on the streets, yet few could deny that they had never heard of lasers, transistors or an MRI.
Practical applications aside there are, according to Einstein, some very "spooky" aspects to this theory. Classical physics delineates the physical aspects of our world quite nicely, yet quantum physics elicits the eerie, unexplainable quirks in the realm of our mere existence. The theory appears to tell us that the state of the "reality the physical world depends on our observation of it." It is for this very reason that this book is considered to be controversial; people simply do not talk about such things, let alone write about them.
Through the use of fictional physicists such and extraordinary physicists such as Einstein and Schröedinger, the authors take us on a fascinating journey into the as yet unknown world of entanglement and the quantum enigma. The prime example the authors write about is the one about Schröedinger's hypothetical cat, the cat that would feel quite at home in the Twilight Zone.
"Schröedinger's cat, according to quantum theory, could be simultaneously dead and alive-until your observation causes it to be either dead or alive. Moreover, finding the cat dead would create a history of its developing rigor mortis: finding it alive would create a history of its developing hunger- backward in time." Confused? Even Richard Feynman never really understood quantum mechanics and Stephen Hawking claims to "reach for my gun" whenever he heard the story of "Schröedinger's cat, so join the club as you just may be in very good company.
I've only read a handful of books and articles on the quantum enigma and entanglement, but this book was by far the best. The writing was as clear and concise on this topic as any you will find. It was stimulating, bizarre, challenging, a roller coaster ride and discomfiting all at once. If you want a book that will ease your mind and rattle your cage at the same time, this one is well worth the money.
best book I ever read in my life October 15, 2009
mtb (usa)
I have been searching for this book for a long time. I am so delighted it exists. The authours state that many physicists think letting the public know this information is like handing a loaded gun to a child.
I disagree. I think it is long overdue. Long overdue . Many people are aware of the micro world of physics, invisible protons mysteriously disappearing into multi dimensions...
and yet, how can anyone be in such denial about the macroworld we all consider that surrounds us being made of the same stuff with the same behaviour?
The very idea that all forms exist only in our perspective? Makes sense to me and I applaud it and welcome it.
Thank you thank you for this book.
I will now continue to dream that I am existing in a 3 dimensional form.
Excellent read for general understanding October 14, 2009
with only rudimentary scientific understanding I was able to read this book without a problem. I am pleased to now have a grasp of the theory and appreciate the trouble the authors went to to make this confounding subject digestible for the general public.
Great intro to quantum mechanics September 22, 2009
C. McDonald
Great book. I have never had any exposure to the theory behind quantum mechanics/quantum theory. If you want a great stepping stone into a great new world, this is the book to get you started. The authors give you a history of physics' most influential minds and the slow development of quantum theory through Planck's earliest experiments. The authors give ample explanations, and real life comparisons to aid your understanding in this very complex, sometimes unbelievable, fact of life. The impact of this book has brought me to a new found passion to read more about the subject of quantum theory. Simply put, this book will open your eyes to a world that you may have thought you undertood well. It will definitely show you that the common way of thinking in terms of physics, is not only flawed, in some cases it's wrong.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 49
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