Abstract
Change in space and time of an observed object creates a logistical problem for our brain because the temporal central availability is undefined. As solution we claim the existence of elementary integration units (EIUs) which are defined as zones of simultaneity; i.e., within such an EIU the before-after relationship has to be abandoned. Experimental evidence points to a duration of the EIUs of the order of 30 msec. In considering a delayed choice experiment in physics, we propose that a similar renunciation of the before-after relation leads to a deeper understanding of the individuality of processes in quantum theory. In short, “time” may be more momentous than its usual appearance as a real-valued parameter demonstrates.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
References
Aharonov, Y., and Albert, D. Z. (1980).Physical Review D,21, 3316–3324.
Aharonov, Y., Bergmann, P. G., and Lebowitz, J. L. (1964).Physical Review,134B, 1410–1416.
Albert, D. Z., Aharonov, Y., and D'Amato, S. (1985).Physical Review Letters,54, 5–7.
Bohr, N. (1934).Atomic Theory and the Description of Nature, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.
Bohr, N. (1935).Physical Review,48, 689–702.
Bohr, N. (1958).Atomic Physics and Human Knowledge, New York.
Bub, J., and Brown, H. (1986).Physical Review Letters,56, 2337–2340.
Galambos, R., Makeig, S., and Talmachoff, P. J. (1981). A 40 Hz auditory potential recorded from the human scalp,Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA,78, 2643–2647.
Görnitz, T., and von Weizsäcker, C. F. (1987).International Journal of Theoretical Physics,26, 921.
Gray, C. M., König, P., Engel, A. K., and Singer, W. (1989).Nature,338, 334–337.
Haag, R. (1990). Fundamental irreversibility and the concept of events, DESY 90-049.
Hirsh, I. J., and Sherrick, Jr., C. E. (1961).Journal of Experimental Psychology,62, 423–432.
Pöppel, E. (1970).Psychologische Forschung,34, 1–9.
Pöppel, E. (1978). Time perception, inHandbook of Sensory Physiology, Vol. VIII,Perception, Springer, pp. 713–729.
Pöppel, E. (1988).Mindworks. Time and Conscious Experience, Boston.
Pöppel, E., Ruhnau, E., Schul, K., and v. Steinbüchel, N. (1990a). A hypothesis concerning timing in the brain, inSynergetics of Cognition, Springer Series in Synergetics, Vol. 45, Berlin.
Pöppel, E., Schill, K., and v. Steinbüchel, N. (1990b).Naturwissenschaften,77, 89–91.
Sharp, W. D., and Shanks, N. (1989).Physics Letters A,138, 451–453.
Wheeler, J. A. (1980).Delayed-Choice Experiments and the Bohr-Einstein Dialog, American Philosophical Society, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Ruhnau, E., Pöppel, E. Adirectional temporal zones in quantum physics and brain physiology. Int J Theor Phys 30, 1083–1090 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00671487
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00671487