Towards a Theory of Everything Part III: Introduction of Consciousness in Loop Quantum Gravity and String Theory and Unification of Experiences with Fundamental Forces

Abstract

Theory of everything must include consciousness. In this article, we focus on introducing the subjective experience (SE) aspect of consciousness in modern quantum physics, namely, loop quantum gravity (LQG) and string theory by using the methodology of examining invariance of these theories under the PE-SE transformations, where PEs (proto-experiences) are precursors of SEs. In our dual-aspect-dual-mode PE-SE framework, (i) each of strings, loops, elementary particles, inert matter, or neural-networks has material and mental aspects, and (ii) there are three competing hypotheses: superposition based H1, superposition-then-integration H2, and integration based H3 as discussed in Part I (Vimal, 2010b). In Part I and Part II (Vimal, 2010c) of this series of 3 articles, we introduced the SE aspect of consciousness in classical and orthodox quantum physics, respectively, which are invariant under PE-SE transformations. In the current Part III, the critical components of LQG with Palatini action appear invariant under this transformation. In string theory, for H1 and H2, we quantitatively introduce the superposition of experiences (SEs/PEs) in the mental aspect of bosonic and fermionic strings using the Polyakov action. We find that experiences are independent of the time-like and space-like parameters (t, s). This is interpreted as a string is a dual-aspect entity and all fundamental SEs/PEs that are superposed in the mental aspect of the string remain invariant with time and space. The introduction of mental aspect in this manner suggests that the mental aspect of string could be in all dimensions: both (3+1)D real dimensions and also in the hidden dimensions that are compactified (curled up). In addition, the Neumann and Dirichlet boundary conditions were also satisfied. These led us to conclude that the material aspect of the behavior of system in string theory remains invariant under the introduction of experiences aspect of consciousness in the mental aspect of strings. For hypothesis H3, the equations of string theory remain the same as they are; we simply need to acknowledge that a string has dual-aspect; its mental aspect is string-PE. Furthermore, the introduction of SE aspect of consciousness in string theory seems to imply that experiences are independent of time and space in all dimensions, which may not be true in conscious beings because SEs change with subjects across space and time. This fact is revealed in the introduction of SE aspect of consciousness in general theory of relativity of classical physics (Vimal, 2010b): (i) For the structure of spacetime (empty space or the vacuum without matter), SEs are superposed in the mental aspect of spacetime and are embedded in spacetime geometry. (ii) For matter field, SEs/PEs are superposed in the mental aspect of each elementary particle (fermion or boson including graviton); wherever these particles move, superposed SEs/PEs must also move with them to conserve the superposed SEs/PEs. (iii) However, since our specific SE is the result of matching and selection processes, the SE can change with space and time. For example, the neural correlate of experiencing redness is V4/V8/VO-red-green neural-net with redness state. When a subject moves, the specific SE redness also moves with the subject’s correlated neural-net. SEs also change with time as stimuli change. In other words, SEs in a subject change with spacetime. We conclude that it is possible to unify SEs/PEs aspect of consciousness with all four fundamental material forces by the introduction of (i) SEs/PEs (as in H1) or PEs (as in H2) in superposed form in the mental aspect of bosonic and fermionic strings or (ii) the bosonic-string-PE and fermionic-string-PE based on integration principle (as in H3). This leads us towards the theory of everything.