The Emperor's New Mind
Argues consciousness is non-algorithmic and quantum-based.
The Emperor's New Mind: Concerning Computers, Minds and The Laws of Physics is a 1989 book by mathematical physicist Roger Penrose that argues human consciousness is non-algorithmic and cannot be modeled by a conventional Turing machine. Penrose hypothesizes that quantum mechanics, particularly the collapse of the quantum wavefunction, plays an essential role in brain function. The book reviews topics from Newtonian physics to cosmology to support the thesis that consciousness is not algorithmic.
Quick Facts
- Author
- Roger Penrose
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Language
- English
- Subject
- Artificial intelligence
- Publisher
- Oxford University Press
- Released
- 9 November 1989
- Format
- Print (hardcover and paperback)
- Pages
- 480
Facts from the source article.
Overview
Penrose acknowledges his ideas on consciousness are speculative and are considered erroneous by some experts in philosophy, computer science, and robotics. He attacks artificial intelligence claims using the physics of computing, noting that modern computers belong more to classical mechanics than quantum mechanics. He describes a billiard-ball computer, originally designed by Edward Fredkin and Tommaso Toffoli, where billiard balls act as message carriers and their interactions as logical decisions.
Reception
After "The Emperor's New Mind" came out, Penrose teamed up with Stuart Hameroff to explore a biological version of quantum computing using microtubules, a concept he later expanded in Shadows of the Mind. The book earned Penrose the 1990 Science Book Prize. However, a review in the American Journal of Physics points out that Penrose is mistaken in arguing that a distant barrier can influence a localized particle.
Frequently Asked Questions
When was The Emperor's New Mind published?
The Emperor's New Mind was published on 9 November 1989.
Who published The Emperor's New Mind?
The Emperor's New Mind was published by Oxford University Press.
How many pages is The Emperor's New Mind?
The Emperor's New Mind has 480 pages.
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