Pylkkänen’s Quantum Potential Energy and Active Information
Philosopher Paavo Pylkkänen proposes a view in which “the mechanistic framework of classical physics and neuroscience is complemented by a more holistic underlying framework in which conscious experience finds its place more naturally.” Recognizing that it is “very likely that some radically new ideas are required if we are to make any progress” on the hard problem, he turns to quantum theory “to understand the place of mind and conscious experience in nature.”
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Paavo Pylkkänen
Philosopher
Paavo Pylkkänen is a Finnish philosopher of mind, known for exploring the mind-body problem through David Bohm's interpretation of quantum mechanics. He teaches at the University of Skövde and the University of Helsinki.
Key Takeaways
Core Claim
Consciousness fits more naturally in a Bohm-inspired quantum framework where matter contains “active information.”
How It Works
Quantum reality includes a new kind of potential energy that guides systems holistically, influencing mind–matter links.
Distinguishing Idea
Rejects purely mechanical physics, proposing non-mechanical, organic concepts to bridge neurophysiology and consciousness.
Implications
Opens the door for genuine mental causation without violating physics, challenging epiphenomenalism.
Pylkkänen’s Quantum Potential Energy and Active Information
Philosopher Paavo Pylkkänen proposes a view in which “the mechanistic framework of classical physics and neuroscience is complemented by a more holistic underlying framework in which conscious experience finds its place more naturally” (Pylkkänen, 2007). Recognizing that it is “very likely that some radically new ideas are required if we are to make any progress” on the hard problem, he turns to quantum theory “to understand the place of mind and conscious experience in nature.” In particular, Pylkkänen and physicist Basil Hiley focus on the ontological interpretation of quantum theory proposed by David Bohm and Hiley (1993) and make “the radical proposal that quantum reality includes a new type of potential energy which contains active information. This proposal, if correct, constitutes a major change in our notion of matter” (Hiley and Pylkkänen, 2022).
Active Information and Consciousness
Pylkkänen and Hiley's intuition is that the reason “it is not possible to understand how and why physical processes can give rise to consciousness is partly the result of our assuming that physical processes (including neurophysiological processes) are always mechanical.” However, they say, if “we are willing to change our view of physical reality by allowing non-mechanical, organic and holistic concepts such as active information to play a fundamental role,” this might make it possible to understand the relationship between physical and mental processes in a new way (Hiley and Pylkkänen, 2022). For example, the human brain could operate in some ways like a “quantum measuring apparatus” (Pylkkänen, 2022).
Mental Causation and Philosophy
Philosophically, according to Pylkkänen, that the physical domain is causally closed has left “no room for mental states qua mental to have a causal influence upon the physical domain, leading to epiphenomenalism and the problem of mental causation.” One road to a possible solution is called “causal antifundamentalism:” causal notions cannot play a role in physics, because the fundamental laws of physics are radically different from causal laws.” While “causal anti-fundamentalism seems to challenge the received view in physicalist philosophy of mind and thus raises the possibility of there being genuine mental causation after all,” Pylkkänen rejects it in favor of the ontological interpretation of quantum theory imparting active information (Pylkkänen, 2019).
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