Clear all
Work #597 · Late

The Emperor's New Mind

Roger Penrose
1989 · English
Mathematical physics / philosophy of mind · British mathematical physics / consciousness studies

Penrose's 1989 foundational text — consciousness is non-computable and quantum-mechanical

Attribute Fingerprint

Rows where works disagree are highlighted in gold. The full ontology grid is shown.

Attribute The Emperor's New Mind (Late)
Time · Extent Infinite
Time · Ontological Status Substantival
Time · Grain Continuous
Time · Freedom Non-Deterministic
Time · Traversability Linear
Time · Dimensionality One
Time · Direction Uni-directional
Space · Extent Infinite
Space · Ontological Status Substantival
Space · Curvature Curved
Space · Dimensionality Three
Space · Locality Non-Local
Matter · Extent Infinite
Matter · Ontological Status Substantival
Matter · Conservation Conserved
Matter · Dimensionality Three
Matter · Locality Non-Local
Observer · Time Instance Single
Observer · Space Instance Single
Observer · Knowledge Extent Partial
Observer · Knowledge Retainment Total
Observer · Physicality Embodied
Observer · Agency Both
Observer · Number Plural
Observer · Metaphysical Agency None
Observer · Moral Authority Reason
Observer · Theological Method
Energy · Extent Infinite
Energy · Ontological Status Substantival
Energy · Conservation Conserved
Energy · Dispersibility Irreversible
Information · Ontological Status Substantival
Information · Cosmic Conservation Conserved
Information · Personal Conservation Conserved
Information · Granularity Continuous

Dimension-by-Dimension Evidence

What each work's passages reveal about its stance on each of the six dimensions.

Time

The Emperor's New Mind

Quantum-mechanical-temporal time.

Space

The Emperor's New Mind

Quantum-gravitational spatial structure.

Matter

The Emperor's New Mind

The quantum-gravitational brain.

Observer

The Emperor's New Mind

The non-computable conscious observer.

Energy

The Emperor's New Mind

Quantum-gravitational energies.

Information

The Emperor's New Mind

Non-computable conscious information.

Internal Tensions

Where each work's argument pulls against itself.

The Emperor's New Mind

Penrose's anti-computationalist consciousness theory in continuing controversy with strong AI proponents.