Physics and Philosophy:

Do the scientific principles

of Quantum Mechanics justify a

New Age metaphysical interpretation?

I.O.U. — Later, maybe in 2023, this page will have more content.  But for now,...

here are five pages I can enthusiastically recommend:

• classic quantum quotes about quantum mechanics from The Character of Physical Law (and The Messenger Lectures) by Richard Feynman, who says: "The difficulty really is psychological and exists in the perpetual torment that results from your saying to yourself, “But how can it be like that?” ...  I think I can safely say that nobody understands quantum mechanics, so... do not keep saying to yourself, if you can possibly avoid it, “But how can it be like that?” because ..."

• a clear explanation of quantum mechanics - second - third — David Lindley, author of the excellent book, Where does the weirdness go? Why Quantum Mechanics Is Strange, but Not As Strange As You Think, explains why the weirdness disappears, so we don't see strange quantum effects in everyday life.

• The Unconscious Quantum: Metaphysics in Modern Physics and Cosmology by Victor Stenger (1995), an atheist who says "the seemingly profound connection between quantum and mind is an artifact, the consequence of unfortunate language... [which] inadvertently left the impression that human consciousness entered the picture... [even though] nothing in quantum mechanics requires human involvement." — a longer quotation is below (*) and you can get information and excerpts — the jacket blurb, two reviews, and the Preface & Chapters 1, 7, and 10, plus links to other papers including "The Myth of Quantum Consciousness" that is quoted below.

And from the editor (Craig Rusbult),
• Introduction to the basics of Quantum Physics Theory explains (without much math) how, at the level of quantum effects, YES, things are very strange,
• scientific arguments against Mystical New-Age Quantum Physics which explains why, at the level of everyday life, NO, things are not as strange as some people say they are.

* Here is a quotation from "The Myth of Quantum Consciousness" by Victor Stenger:
Ironically, the seemingly profound connection between quantum and mind is an artifact, the consequence of unfortunate language used by Bohr, Heisenberg and the others who originally formulated quantum mechanics.  In describing the necessary interaction between the observer and what is being observed, and how the state of a system is determined by the act of its measurement, they inadvertently left the impression that human consciousness entered the picture to cause that state to come into being.  This led many who did not understand the physics, but liked the sound of the words used to describe it, to infer a fundamental human role. ... If Bohr and Heisenberg had spoken of measurements made by inanimate instruments rather than "observers," perhaps this strained relationship between quantum and mind would not have been drawn.  For, nothing in quantum mechanics requires human involvement.