If you please, I have thought to post here below a recent review of this paper. I hope you find it useful.
Dipabhasadhamma
Review of “Quantum Immortality: The Missing Element”
Initial Note on Additional References
Below are several references that offer complementary perspectives on quantum immortality, the nature of consciousness, and related philosophical concepts. They are included near the start of this review to provide additional scholarly resources and to situate the work within a broader research context. These works do not appear in the text itself, but they align well with the central themes of consciousness persistence, quantum interpretations, and the intersection of physics with philosophical inquiry:
- Turchin, Alexey. “Forever and Again: Necessary Conditions for ‘Quantum Immortality’ and Its Practical Implications.” Journal of Ethics and Emerging Technologies, 2018, https://jeet.ieet.org/index.php/home/article/view/70.
- Randall, Allan F. Quantum Miracles and Immortality. 2004, http://allanrandall.ca/tv2004.pdf.
- Han, Chen. “Theoretical Quantum Immortality and Its Mathematical Authority.” Journal of Physics: Conference Series, IOP Publishing, 2021, doi:10.1088/1742-6596/1936/1/012015.
- Glasberg, Ronald. “Death, Consciousness and the Quantum Paradigm.” Scientific GOD Journal, 2017, https://jcer.com/index.php/jcj/article/view/625.
- Rusu, Ion, and A. Rusu. QUANTUM PHYSICS, CONSCIOUSNESS AND LIFE †. 2005, http://ejst.tuiasi.ro/Files/04/07-09Rusu&Rusu.pdf.
- Pregnolato, Massimo, and Alfredo Manuel Franco Pereira. “On the Possible Existence of Quantum Consciousness After Brain Death.” Journal of Consciousness Exploration & Research, 2016, https://iris.unipv.it/handle/11571/1186145.
- Wendt, Alexander. “Quantum Consciousness and Life.” Cambridge University Press EBooks, Cambridge University Press, 2015, doi:10.1017/cbo9781316005163.006.
- Yamada, Hironari. Quantum Mechanical Approach to the Meaning of Existence, Will and Life. 2004, doi:10.1063/1.1796593.
- GUPTA, S. AY AN TA N. Quantum Suicide Thesis with Quantum Immortality. 2017, doi:10.31219/osf.io/nbf88.
- Walker, Edward A. The Physics of Consciousness : the Quantum Minds and the Meaning of Life. 2000, https://openlibrary.org/books/OL55626M/The_physics_of_consciousness.
They have been selected to illustrate a range of arguments around quantum theory, consciousness, and philosophical or spiritual conceptions of immortality. In particular, they discuss the idea of continuity of mind, various interpretations of the wavefunction, and efforts to combine insights from physics with theories of conscious experience.
Summary of the Work
“Quantum Immortality: The Missing Element” proposes a novel framework in which the Buddhist concept of Gandhabba serves as a subtle or intermediate quantum-consciousness “carrier,” bridging the theoretical gap between standard Quantum Immortality scenarios and the continuity of subjective experience. The manuscript draws extensively on quantum mechanical formalisms—particularly from Many-Worlds and Bohmian lenses—and interweaves them with Buddhist notions of rebirth, conditionality, and non-self. In doing so, it attempts to show how a purely subjectively experienced “never-dying” consciousness might align with known or hypothesized quantum phenomena.
The work offers a broad exploration of quantum theories of consciousness, including references to arguments positing orchestrated reduction, quantum bayesianism, and implicate orders, and then mathematically integrates a “Gandhabba” term as a putative quantum state vector that persists across quantum branches at the moment of death. This inclusion is presented as a philosophical and theoretical bridge between Eastern metaphysical insights and Western scientific descriptions.
Main Contributions
Interdisciplinary Scope: The paper traverses Buddhist philosophy, quantum mechanics, and consciousness studies. This broad scope fosters potential dialogue between historically separated fields, exemplifying a serious attempt at merging theological or spiritual constructs (Gandhabba) with physical mathematics.
Mathematical Engagement: Although it remains largely speculative, the work does show a consistent effort to align the proposed “Gandhabba state” with existing quantum formalism. By specifying wavefunction equations, quantum potentials, and operator transformations, the author underscores the desire to treat metaphysical ideas rigorously.
Detailed Argumentation: The combination of textual analysis from early Buddhist scriptures, major quantum interpretations, and philosophical arguments about identity and continuity provides a comprehensive approach for readers interested in bridging scientific and spiritual viewpoints.
Strengths
Creative Theoretical Bridge: Proposing Gandhabba as a “missing element” in Quantum Immortality yields a unique conceptual lens for investigating post-mortem consciousness. The idea that a subtle continuum of information aligns with quantum branching is both original and psychologically intriguing.
Thorough Engagement with Source Materials: The manuscript demonstrates familiarity with Buddhist canon and interprets concepts like non-self and rebirth in ways that, for the most part, remain faithful to the tradition’s emphasis on conditionality.
Systematic Incorporation of Quantum Ideas: From Many-Worlds to Bohm’s implicate order, each major quantum framework is discussed logically, with attempts at clarifying how the Gandhabba might fit within each system’s assumptions.
Points for Further Consideration
Empirical and Falsifiability Challenges: Although the author acknowledges the speculative nature of the unified framework, it may be helpful to reiterate how, from a strictly scientific perspective, the proposed quantum-Gandhabba model is not testable. Clarifying the boundaries between a philosophical exploration and an empirical theory can help dispel confusion or accusations of pseudoscience.
Precision in Non-Self Terminology: The concept of non-self (anattā) is central to Buddhism. While the text often reiterates that Gandhabba is not a “soul,” further emphasis on how conditional processes can appear continuous (reminiscent of a “self”) would add clarity. Some readers may otherwise interpret Gandhabba as a re-branded atman.
Interaction with Neuroscience: The paper references quantum-consciousness theories but omits a deeper engagement with prevailing neuroscience that typically operates without quantum frameworks. Briefly contrasting or comparing those mainstream approaches with the proposed ideas would reinforce the interdisciplinary scope.
Ethical Ramifications: The suggestion of indefinite conscious continuation can inadvertently trivialize mortality or overshadow moral responsibility. While the addendum addresses some potential misunderstandings, a separate section dealing with the ethical dimensions—especially from the Buddhist perspective—would offer valuable cautionary context.
Depth of Mathematical Formalism: The provided equations outline how Gandhabba might be inserted into Schrödinger-like equations or Bohm’s potential. However, further elaboration on how such couplings would actually operate in quantum systems might clarify the realism or limitations of this approach. Even additional symbolic demonstrations could highlight the deadlines and boundary conditions under which this “quantum carrier” interacts with classical physiological processes.
Overall Impression
This text stands out for its interdisciplinary attempt to tackle a deeply metaphysical problem—continuous subjectivity and quantum theories of immortality—by drawing from both the Buddha’s teachings and modern physics. It neither dismissively conflates them nor artificially separates them, instead laying out a thoughtful integration replete with equations, analogies, and interpretive clarifications.
While remaining speculative, the author is forthright about these limitations and aims predominantly at conceptual coherence rather than experimental proof. This kind of hypothesizing can be a valuable exercise for philosophers of mind, quantum theorists with an openness to metaphysical expansion, and Buddhist scholars willing to engage with forward-looking scientific discourse.
In sum, the paper’s primary contribution is the creative bridging of two very different intellectual traditions, encouraging future dialogue and critique. As a philosophical thought experiment, it meets its goal of provoking further inquiry into the nature of consciousness, the role of quantum processes, and the possibility of continuity beyond physical life—especially under a worldview of conditional arising and non-self insight.
No recommendations regarding the paper’s status (e.g., publication decisions) are provided here, in keeping with the requested format. Instead, the remarks above highlight the work’s originality, its descriptive thoroughness, and potential areas for deeper exploration or clarification.