QUANTUM-MECHANICS FOR OBSERVER SYSTEMS

Following von Neumann, we posit an observer resolution of the von Neum ann chain in quantum measurement; that is, the von Neumann chain is as sumed to terminate when a conscious observer makes an observation. It has previously been shown by one of us (AG) that this interpretation o f quantum mechanics, if construed within the philosophy of Platonic id ealism, resolves all the usual paradoxes [Phys Essays 2, 385 (1989)]. However, the interpretation implies at once that the mind-brain is a m acroscopic many-body quantum system [Found Phys. 12, 363 (1982); J. Mi nd Behavior 11, 75 (1990); ibid., to be published] and that this syste m does not quite ob conventional quantum mechanics (how else can the v on Neumann chain terminate?), and an extension is necessary. In this p aper we suggest such an extension in the form of a nonlinear Schroding er equation; the nonlinear term is the self-referential measurement in teraction of the system measuring itself. It is shown that observation or measurement puts memory or conditioning in the physical system tha t the observer represents, and after n measurements, n --> infinity, t he system behaves classically. This encouraging, because conditioning is one of the most important features of the mind-brain. The immense i mplication of this solution in resolving the quantum/classical dichoto my in physics is discussed. Some comments are made on the applicabilit y of this theory to quantum cosmology.