Discrimination Mind and Wavefunction Collapse:A Novel Interpretation of Quantum Mechanics Based on the Temporal Resolution of Consciousness

Wan, Haiqing

doi:10.5281/zenodo.20790467

Published June 22, 2026 | Version v2

Preprint Open

Discrimination Mind and Wavefunction Collapse:A Novel Interpretation of Quantum Mechanics Based on the Temporal Resolution of Consciousness

Wan, Haiqing

English Abstract

Since its inception, quantum mechanics has been troubled by the "measurement problem": why does observation cause the wavefunction to collapse, and what role does consciousness play in this process? Building upon von Neumann's measurement chain theory[1] and integrating the concept of "discrimination mind" (vikalpa) from Eastern philosophy, this paper proposes a testable novel hypothesis—consciousness, through its discriminative function, determines the manifestation of quantum system determinacy via its own temporal resolution. This hypothesis redefines the boundary between classical and quantum mechanics from "object size" to "the relative relationship between the sampling rate of consciousness and the rate of change of the observed object," and provides three progressively layered, mutually complementary, and falsifiable experimental designs. It offers an explanatory framework for the foundational problems of quantum mechanics that possesses both philosophical depth and scientific operability.

Abstract (English)

Keywords: Wavefunction collapse; Discrimination mind (vikalpa); Consciousness; Temporal resolution; von Neumann measurement chain; Pratyakṣa (direct perception); Anumāna (conceptual discrimination); Quantum measurement problem

Notes

Revision Explanation for Discrimination Mind and Wavefunction Collapse: A Novel Interpretation of Quantum Mechanics Based on the Temporal Resolution of Consciousness

I. Overall Positioning of Revisions

This revision does not restructure the core theoretical framework, experimental design or reference system of the paper. Instead, it optimizes the logical rigor of the text, fills key logical loopholes, unifies the definition of concepts, streamlines redundant discussions, revises contradictory ontological expressions, and standardizes professional terminology. Minor adjustments are also made to the abstract and paragraph structure to smooth the logical chain of this interdisciplinary theory (integrating quantum mechanics, Yogacara mind-nature studies and cognitive neuroscience). Ambiguous statements that may lead to metaphysical misinterpretation are eliminated, while the rigor and self-consistency of the scientific hypothesis are strengthened. All core arguments, three sets of experimental schemes and core derivations are fully retained without deletion.

II. Detailed Revisions and Corresponding Rationales by Section

(1) Chinese Abstract

1. Revisions Made: Supplementary restrictive statements are added to clearly distinguish the objective evolutionary state of particles and the definite appearances manifested after conscious sampling. Redundant modifiers are condensed to align with core expressions in the main text, and a key supplementary explanation is inserted: between two sampling events, systems still evolve in accordance with the Schrödinger equation without definite classical orbits.

2. Rationale: The original abstract only briefly elaborated the hypothesis, lacking critical boundary constraints of the full text, which may mislead readers into misinterpreting this theory as a negation of the fundamental evolutionary rules of quantum mechanics. The supplementary content enables the abstract to fully summarize core restrictive conditions and reduces the risk of one-sided misreading.

(2) Revisions to Core Theoretical Logic (Key Optimization of the Full Text)

1. Standardized definition of "manifest trajectory ≠ classical orbit" added and reused uniformly across the text

- Revisions Made: Standardized definitions are added in Section 4.4 and the Conclusion section: particles collapse into definite positions at the moment of conscious sampling, and continuous sampling can only retroactively derive a sequence of appearances, rather than classical orbits that particles continuously follow. The wavefunction evolves linearly normally between sampling intervals with no definite position values, fully compatible with the Heisenberg uncertainty principle.

- Rationale: The original analogy of camera filming rotating fans easily triggers misinterpretations of classical realism, failing to clearly distinguish observational appearances from the intrinsic evolution of particles. The newly added standardized definition clarifies that this theory does not constitute a hidden-variable theory, resolves logical conflicts with experimental conclusions of Bell's inequalities, and fills gaps in ontological reasoning.

2. Refined elaboration on the Heisenberg uncertainty principle to eliminate logical contradictions

- Revisions Made: The original vague statement that "the two theories are not contradictory" is revised to a precise formulation: at the instant of sampling, position is definite while momentum is completely indefinite, and the product of the two strictly satisfies the uncertainty inequality. There is no inference that particles possess definite position and momentum simultaneously.

- Rationale: The original ambiguous wording risked being interpreted as a violation of fundamental axioms of quantum mechanics. Refined constraints make the text fully consistent with orthodox quantum mathematical rules and enhance theoretical rigor.

3. Unified terminology for pratyakṣa (direct perception), anumāna (conceptual discrimination), discrimination mind, and thought sampling rate

- Revisions Made: Contradictory scattered descriptions are deleted, and fixed term definitions are adopted throughout the full text: only anumāna (conceptual discrimination, naming and classification) triggers wavefunction collapse, while pure sensory reception via pratyakṣa cannot produce state locking. A single discrete thought serves as the minimum sampling unit of anumāna.

- Rationale: Mixed use of concepts in the original text confused two independent cognitive stages (sensory stimulation and conceptual discrimination). Unified terminology enables clear stratification of cognitive levels across the paper.

4. Streamlining of redundant repetitive discussions

- Revisions Made: Multiple lengthy repeated arguments critiquing the limitations of decoherence and the Neumann measurement chain are removed. Each critical reasoning is retained only once in the corresponding chapter, with concise cross-references used elsewhere for logical connection.

- Rationale: The original text repeatedly restated the same critical logic across multiple subsections, resulting in verbose writing and disjointed logical layers. Streamlining tightens the narrative rhythm and clarifies hierarchical logic.

(3) Minor Adjustments to Experimental Design Chapters

1. Standardized logical expression for experimental falsification criteria

- Revisions Made: The narrative structure of "confirmatory predictions / falsification conditions" for all three experiments is unified, with standardized wording for judgment criteria. Section 6.3 (femtosecond experiment) elaborates distinguishable experimental indicators between orthodox quantum mechanics and this hypothesis, strengthening the observability of ontological differences between the two frameworks.

- Rationale: The original experimental paragraphs adopted inconsistent narrative structures, with scattered and disorganized falsification criteria statements. Adjustments make experimental logic intuitive and comply with standardized writing norms for experimental design in academic papers.

2. Brief supplementary explanations for experimental confounding variables

- Revisions Made: Supplementary control schemes for confounding variables such as attention fluctuation, mental fatigue and EEG baselines are added in Sections 6.1 and 6.2.

- Rationale: The original text only briefly mentioned interference factors without practical control logic. Minor supplements improve the implementability of the experimental schemes.

(4) Optimization of Philosophical Interpretation Chapters

1. Reduction of metaphysically suggestive lyrical expressions, strengthened rational argumentation on the isomorphism between philosophy and science

- Revisions Made: Overly literary descriptive passages are trimmed, while logical comparisons between mind-nature concepts (Zhuangzi, Laozi, Yogacara) and physical models are retained solely for rational isomorphism analysis. A strict distinction is drawn between subjective experiential states in meditation practice and objective physical laws of quantum observation, avoiding conflation of the two dimensions.

- Rationale: The original philosophical sections contained excessive literary flourishes, which risked readers misclassifying the scientific hypothesis as purely metaphysical speculation. The revised version retains philosophical depth while maintaining the objective, rational tone required for scientific papers.

2. Clarified accurate connotation of "letting go of discrimination mind"

- Revisions Made: A clear distinction is drawn between "numbing sensory perception" and "abiding in direct perception without conceptual discrimination" — two completely distinct states — to correct ambiguous wording in the original text.

- Rationale: The original wording could be misread as a negation of perceptual capacity. Refinement aligns the text with the original meaning of Yogacara theory and matches the cognitive neuroscience framework adopted in this paper.

(5) Restructuring and Optimization of the Conclusion Chapter

1. Revisions Made: Scattered core arguments are split into standardized enumerated core hypotheses. Key boundary constraints of the full text (manifest trajectories, the uncertainty principle, the relativity of classical-quantum boundaries) are summarized collectively, forming a concise wrap-up of the paper.

2. Rationale: Core viewpoints were dispersed across lengthy paragraphs in the original conclusion. Restructuring allows readers to quickly grasp the full text’s central claims and improves readability.

III. Content Retained Without Revisions

1. All references, citation markers, and the complete frameworks, predictive logics and hardware schemes of the three full experimental designs (6.1 Critical Frequency Perception Experiment, 6.2 Auditory Discrimination Experiment for Deep Meditators, 6.3 Femtosecond Imaging Experiment for Microscopic Particles) are fully preserved with no deletions or modifications.

2. The core underlying hypothesis, the interdisciplinary core reasoning combining von Neumann’s measurement chain and Yogacara theory, hierarchical critical logic for decoherence theory, and arguments related to Bell’s inequalities are all completely retained.

3. The English abstract, keywords, main chapter heading hierarchy and overall paragraph division structure have not undergone major adjustments; only sentence wording within paragraphs is optimized.

IV. Overall Value of the Revisions

1. Logical Dimension: Logical loopholes at the ontological and quantum axiom levels are filled, ambiguous expressions prone to contradictions or misinterpretation are eliminated, and the theoretical self-consistency of the paper is greatly enhanced.

2. Narrative Dimension: Redundant repetitive text is streamlined, terminology is unified, and experimental writing structures are standardized. The revised text is concise, well-organized and consistent with academic paper writing specifications.

3. Comprehension Dimension: Scientific observational laws and subjective mind-nature experiences are clearly differentiated, metaphysically suggestive expressions are reduced, the learning threshold for interdisciplinary readers is lowered, and one-sided misinterpretation of the theory is avoided.

4. Empirical Dimension: Control measures for experimental confounding variables and falsification judgment criteria are supplemented and refined, making the scientificity and operability of the three falsifiable experimental schemes more complete and rigorous.

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