--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When the province of physical theory was…" description: "\"When the province of physical theory was extended to encompass microscopic phenomena through the creation of quantum mechanics, the concept of consciou..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/79c/eugene-wigner-26287_concepts_when-the-province-of-physical-theory-was_1929489.jpg" --- # When the province of physical theory was extended to… ![“When the province of physical theory was extended to encompass microscopic phenomena through the creation of quantum mechanics, the concept of consciousness came to the fore again. It was not possible to formulate the laws of quantum mechanics in a fully consistent way without reference to the…” quote by Eugene Wigner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/79c/eugene-wigner-26287_concepts_when-the-province-of-physical-theory-was_1929489.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/79c/eugene-wigner-26287_concepts_when-the-province-of-physical-theory-was_1929489.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/79c/eugene-wigner-26287_concepts_when-the-province-of-physical-theory-was_1929489.jpg) > “When the province of physical theory was extended to encompass microscopic phenomena through the creation of quantum mechanics, the concept of consciousness came to the fore again. 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 theory’s foundations appear to require an observer’s consciousness to define measurement outcomes. **In simple terms:** Consciousness may be essential for quantum measurement. Key Takeaway Consider the role of observers in physics. Themes physics philosophy consciousness quantum mechanics Mood thoughtful inquisitive Type philosophical scientific When to use this quote - laboratory experiments - philosophical debates - educational curricula Key Concepts observer effect measurement problem interpretations of quantum theory Questions to Reflect On - Can physics be fully objective without consciousness? - What experiments could test this link? A Different Perspective Critics argue consciousness may be unnecessary if alternative interpretations succeed. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Consciousness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/consciousness/) [Creation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/creation/) [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/) [Philosophy of Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosophy-of-mind/) [Physics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/physics/) [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/) [Quantum theory](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/quantum-theory/) ## Related quotes > [It was not possible to formulate the laws of quantum mechanics in a fully consistent way without reference to the consciousness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eugene-wigner/it-was-not-possible-to-formulate-the-laws-of-quantum-mechanics-in-a/) [Eugene Wigner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eugene-wigner/) > [The revolution which began with the creation of quantum theory and relativity theory can only be finished with their unification into a single theory…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lee-smolin/the-revolution-which-began-with-the-creation-of-quantum-theory-and/) [Lee Smolin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lee-smolin/) > [“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/) > [The law of attraction is the law of creation. Quantum physicists tell us that the entire Universe emerged from thought!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rhonda-byrne/the-law-of-attraction-is-the-law-of-creation-quantum-physicists-tell/) [Rhonda Byrne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rhonda-byrne/) > [“Two steps before he made it through the doorway, he suddenly smelled her perfume and felt the dewiness of her skin as her consciousness…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cerece-rennie-murphy/two-steps-before-he-made-it-through-the-doorway-he-suddenly-smelled/) [Cerece Rennie Murphy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cerece-rennie-murphy/) > [“. . .Consciousness came and went. Consciousness went and came like the errant winds of spring, and I, who so often have had difficulty…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-wolfe/consciousness-came-and-went-consciousness-went-and-came-like-the/) [Gene Wolfe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-wolfe/) > [“I did not ask for consciousness, yet it came to me. And I had to know. Once again, I crawled away from my bed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alysha-speer/i-did-not-ask-for-consciousness-yet-it-came-to-me-and-i-had-to-know/) [Alysha Speer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alysha-speer/) > [“The quantum revolution is not the discovery of quantum physics. It is the transition from understanding quantum reality to engineering it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ludmila-morozova-buss/the-quantum-revolution-is-not-the-discovery-of-quantum-physics-it-is/) [Ludmila Morozova-Buss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ludmila-morozova-buss/) > [I like to think the moon is there even if I am not looking at it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/i-like-to-think-the-moon-is-there-even-if-i-am-not-looking-at-it/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [The more success the quantum theory has, the sillier it looks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/the-more-success-the-quantum-theory-has-the-sillier-it-looks/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [“Another very good test some readers may want to look up, which we do not have space to describe here, is the Casimir effect,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gordon-l-kane/another-very-good-test-some-readers-may-want-to-look-up-which-we-do/) Gordon L. Kane > [“Quantum attention functions are the keys to quantum machine learning.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amit-ray/quantum-attention-functions-are-the-keys-to-quantum-machine-learning/) [Amit Ray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amit-ray/) > [“Quantum physics teaches us that we can simultaneously exist in many places, under certain conditions.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amit-ray/quantum-physics-teaches-us-that-we-can-simultaneously-exist-in-many/) [Amit Ray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amit-ray/) > [ When asked ... \[about\] an underlying quantum world, Bohr would answer, 'There is no quantum world. There is only an abstract quantum physical description.… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niels-bohr/when-asked-about-an-underlying-quantum-world-bohr-would-answer-there/) [Niels Bohr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niels-bohr/) ## More by Eugene Wigner > [The enormous usefulness of mathematics in the natural sciences is something bordering on the mysterious and there is no rational explanation of it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eugene-wigner/the-enormous-usefulness-of-mathematics-in-the-natural-sciences-is/) [Eugene Wigner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eugene-wigner/) > [There are two kinds of people in the world: Johnny Von Neumann and the rest of us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eugene-wigner/there-are-two-kinds-of-people-in-the-world-johnny-von-neumann-and-the/) [Eugene Wigner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eugene-wigner/) > [It is nice to know that the computer understands the problem. 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. As a young man, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eugene-wigner/the-full-meaning-of-life-the-collective-meaning-of-all-human-desires/) [Eugene Wigner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eugene-wigner/) > [Physics is becoming so unbelievably complex that it is taking longer and longer to train a physicist. It is taking so long, in fact,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eugene-wigner/physics-is-becoming-so-unbelievably-complex-that-it-is-taking-longer/) [Eugene Wigner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eugene-wigner/) > [The great mathematician fully, almost ruthlessly, exploits the domain of permissible reasoning and skirts the impermissible. That his recklessness does not lead him into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eugene-wigner/the-great-mathematician-fully-almost-ruthlessly-exploits-the-domain/) [Eugene Wigner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eugene-wigner/) > [There is no natural phenomenon that is comparable with the sudden and apparently accidentally timed development of science, except perhaps the condensation of a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eugene-wigner/there-is-no-natural-phenomenon-that-is-comparable-with-the-sudden-and/) [Eugene Wigner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eugene-wigner/) > [“In science, it is not speed that is the most important. It is the dedication, the commitment, the interest and the will to know…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eugene-wigner/in-science-it-is-not-speed-that-is-the-most-important-it-is-the/) [Eugene Wigner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eugene-wigner/) > [The miracle of the appropriateness of the language of mathematics for the formulation of the laws of physics is a wonderful gift which we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eugene-wigner/the-miracle-of-the-appropriateness-of-the-language-of-mathematics-for-2/) [Eugene Wigner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eugene-wigner/) [Explore all 22 Eugene Wigner quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eugene-wigner/) ## More Concepts quotes > [Capability is just a concept of what is it we're looking at. 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A human being wants to express ideas in this language, but not ideas that can be translated into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anton-webern/what-is-music-music-is-language-a-human-being-wants-to-express-ideas/) [Anton Webern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anton-webern/) > [We do not want to be reminded that it is we, the indigenous people, who are poor and exploited in the land of our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-biko/we-do-not-want-to-be-reminded-that-it-is-we-the-indigenous-people-who/) [Steven Biko](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-biko/) > [The whole concept of stage fright is fascinating. Actors get stage fright, but they wouldn't be on the stage in the first place if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-greene/the-whole-concept-of-stage-fright-is-fascinating-actors-get-stage/) [Robert Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-greene/) > [I do like talking with friends about big concepts, you know, the stuff that will ruin a party. To me, the party hasn't begun…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-mercer/i-do-like-talking-with-friends-about-big-concepts-you-know-the-stuff/) [James Mercer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-mercer/) > [You imagine that I look back on my life's work with calm satisfaction. But from nearby it looks quite different. There is not a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/you-imagine-that-i-look-back-on-my-life-s-work-with-calm-satisfaction/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [For a physicist mathematics is not just a tool by means of which phenomena can be calculated, it is the main source of concepts…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/freeman-dyson/for-a-physicist-mathematics-is-not-just-a-tool-by-means-of-which/) [Freeman Dyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/freeman-dyson/) > [One of the most powerful concepts, one which is a sure cure for lack of confidence, is the thought that God is with you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-vincent-peale/one-of-the-most-powerful-concepts-one-which-is-a-sure-cure-for-lack/) [Norman Vincent Peale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-vincent-peale/) > [All significant concepts of the modern theory of the state are secularized theological concepts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-schmitt/all-significant-concepts-of-the-modern-theory-of-the-state-are/) [Carl Schmitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-schmitt/) > [If you are trying to live a life in accordance with the Bible, the concept and call to justice are inescapable. We do justice…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-keller/if-you-are-trying-to-live-a-life-in-accordance-with-the-bible-the/) [Timothy Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-keller/) > [So many times we come to Jesus in worship and ask Him for things that He already IS and has already done... What a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christy-nockels/so-many-times-we-come-to-jesus-in-worship-and-ask-him-for-things-that/) Christy Nockels > [ I don't think in national categories. For me it \[policy\] is about concepts and substance. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-claude-juncker/i-don-t-think-in-national-categories-for-me-it-policy-is-about/) [Jean-Claude Juncker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-claude-juncker/) > [In the very beginning, Yelp started as a service where we really didn't think people would write reviews for fun. The whole concept of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremy-stoppelman/in-the-very-beginning-yelp-started-as-a-service-where-we-really-didn/) [Jeremy Stoppelman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremy-stoppelman/) > [To pray without expectation is to misunderstand the whole concept of prayer and relationship with God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aiden-wilson-tozer/to-pray-without-expectation-is-to-misunderstand-the-whole-concept-of/) [Aiden Wilson Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aiden-wilson-tozer/) Browse all 2,468 Concepts quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "When the province of physical theory was extended to encompass microscopic phenomena through the creation of quantum mechanics, the concept of consciousness came to the fore again. 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