Plain English Summary
This is a foundational paper that asks a wild question: what if the strange features of quantum physics -- like entanglement (particles mysteriously linked across distance) and complementarity (measuring one thing makes another unmeasurable) -- are not exclusive to subatomic particles but are patterns that show up elsewhere too? The authors strip quantum theory down to six bare-bones rules, tossing out the heavy mathematical machinery specific to physics, and create "Weak Quantum Theory." Crucially, they are not claiming your brain is a quantum computer. Instead, they built a general-purpose framework where entanglement-like connections could appear in psychology or mind-matter interactions without invoking actual quantum physics. They even sketch examples in chaotic systems and psychotherapy. This became the theoretical backbone for later researchers modeling psi as a form of generalized nonlocal correlation -- making it one of the most influential theoretical papers in the field.
Abstract
The concepts of complementarity and entanglement are considered with respect to their significance in and beyond physics. A formally generalized, weak version of quantum theory, more general than ordinary quantum theory of physical systems, is outlined and tentatively applied to two examples.
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Extended By
- Synchronistic Phenomena as Entanglement Correlations in Generalized Quantum Theory — von Lucadou, Walter. (2007)
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- Generalized Quantum Theory: Overview and Latest Developments — Filk, Thomas. (2011)
Companion
- Consciousness in the Universe: Neuroscience, Quantum Space-Time Geometry and Orch OR Theory — Penrose, Roger. (2011)
- On the Quantum Mechanics of Consciousness, with Application to Anomalous Phenomena — Jahn, Robert G. (1986)
- Biological Utilisation of Quantum NonLocality — Josephson, Brian D. (1991)
- The importance of quantum decoherence in brain processes — Tegmark, Max. (2000)
- Integrated Information Theory: From Consciousness to Its Physical Substrate — Tononi, Giulio. (2016)
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- Inner Experience – Direct Access to Reality: A Complementarist Ontology and Dual Aspect Monism Support a Broader Epistemology — Walach, Harald. (2020)
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📋 Cite this paper
Atmanspacher, Harald., Römer, Hartmann., Walach, Harald. (2002). Weak Quantum Theory: Complementarity and Entanglement in Physics and Beyond. Foundations of Physics. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1014809312397
@article{atmanspacher_2002_weak_quantum,
title = {Weak Quantum Theory: Complementarity and Entanglement in Physics and Beyond},
author = {Atmanspacher, Harald. and Römer, Hartmann. and Walach, Harald.},
year = {2002},
journal = {Foundations of Physics},
doi = {10.1023/A:1014809312397},
}