The Orchestrated Objective Reduction (Orch OR) theory, proposed by Stuart Hameroff and Roger Penrose, offers a unique perspective on the age-old philosophical problem of consciousness. This page explores how Orch OR intersects with various philosophical positions in the philosophy of mind, and how it attempts to bridge the gap between physical processes and subjective experience.
The mind-body problem, a central issue in the philosophy of mind, questions the relationship between mental phenomena and physical processes. Orch OR proposes a solution by suggesting that consciousness emerges from quantum computations in brain microtubules, effectively bridging the gap between the physical brain and subjective experience.
Qualia, the subjective, conscious experiences we have, have long been a puzzle for philosophers. Orch OR suggests that the collapse of quantum superpositions in microtubules gives rise to moments of conscious experience, potentially explaining the emergence of qualia from physical processes.
The question of free will has been debated for centuries. Orch OR introduces quantum indeterminacy at the neural level, potentially providing a mechanism for free will that is neither purely deterministic nor random.
Move the slider to explore different levels of consciousness according to the Orch OR theory: