--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It was not possible to formulate the laws…" description: "\"It was not possible to formulate the laws of quantum mechanics in a fully consistent way without reference to the consciousness.\" — Eugene Wigner" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7d7/eugene-wigner-26287_consciousness_it-was-not-possible-to-formulate-the-law_2844852.jpg" --- # It was not possible to formulate the laws of quantum… ![“It was not possible to formulate the laws of quantum mechanics in a fully consistent way without reference to the consciousness.” quote by Eugene Wigner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7d7/eugene-wigner-26287_consciousness_it-was-not-possible-to-formulate-the-law_2844852.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7d7/eugene-wigner-26287_consciousness_it-was-not-possible-to-formulate-the-law_2844852.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7d7/eugene-wigner-26287_consciousness_it-was-not-possible-to-formulate-the-law_2844852.jpg) > “It was not possible to formulate the laws of quantum mechanics in a fully consistent way without reference to the consciousness.” [Eugene Wigner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eugene-wigner/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Quantum mechanics cannot be fully consistent without acknowledging consciousness. **In simple terms:** Consciousness is essential to quantum theory. Key Takeaway Consider consciousness in scientific models. Themes physics philosophy consciousness quantum mechanics Mood thoughtful inquisitive Type philosophical scientific When to use this quote - theoretical physics - philosophical debate - research methodology Key Concepts ontology observer effect Questions to Reflect On - Is consciousness a cause or a result? - How does this view affect scientific inquiry? A Different Perspective Some argue consciousness is emergent, not fundamental. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Consciousness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/consciousness/) [Law](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/law/) [Laws of physics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/laws-of-physics/) [Mechanic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mechanic/) [Quantum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/quantum/) [Quantum mechanics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/quantum-mechanics/) [Quantum physics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/quantum-physics/) ## Related quotes > [When the province of physical theory was extended to encompass microscopic phenomena through the creation of quantum mechanics, the concept of consciousness came to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eugene-wigner/when-the-province-of-physical-theory-was-extended-to-encompass/) [Eugene Wigner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eugene-wigner/) > [“This question about the reason we do not observe any quantum mechanical uncertainty in the appearance of flies or stars was never tackled by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henning-genz/this-question-about-the-reason-we-do-not-observe-any-quantum/) [Henning Genz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henning-genz/) > [ \[T\]he laws of quantum mechanics itself cannot be formulated ... without recourse to the concept of consciousness. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eugene-wigner/t-he-laws-of-quantum-mechanics-itself-cannot-be-formulated-without/) [Eugene Wigner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eugene-wigner/) > [“Quantum mechanics has a similar problem, a problem related to the zero-point energy. 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But I would like to understand it too.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eugene-wigner/it-is-nice-to-know-that-the-computer-understands-the-problem-but-i/) [Eugene Wigner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eugene-wigner/) > [It's nice the know the computer understands the situation, but I would like to understand it too.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eugene-wigner/it-s-nice-the-know-the-computer-understands-the-situation-but-i-would/) [Eugene Wigner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eugene-wigner/) > [... mathematics is the science of skillful operations with concepts and rules invented just for this purpose.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eugene-wigner/mathematics-is-the-science-of-skillful-operations-with-concepts-and/) [Eugene Wigner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eugene-wigner/) > [The simplicities of natural laws arise through the complexities of the language we use for their expression.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eugene-wigner/the-simplicities-of-natural-laws-arise-through-the-complexities-of/) [Eugene Wigner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eugene-wigner/) > [Solipsism may be logically consistent with present Quantum Mechanics, Monism in the sense of Materialism is not.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eugene-wigner/solipsism-may-be-logically-consistent-with-present-quantum-mechanics/) [Eugene Wigner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eugene-wigner/) > [“The present writer had occasion, some time ago, to call attention to the succession of layers of "laws of nature," each layer containing more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eugene-wigner/the-present-writer-had-occasion-some-time-ago-to-call-attention-to/) [Eugene Wigner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eugene-wigner/) > [The optimist regards the future as uncertain.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eugene-wigner/the-optimist-regards-the-future-as-uncertain/) [Eugene Wigner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eugene-wigner/) > [The full meaning of life, the collective meaning of all human desires, is fundamentally a mystery beyond our grasp. 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