Abstract

Embodying the major presentations given at the January, 1979, American Association for the Advancement of Science annual meeting held at Houston, Texas, the seven contributors explore the function of consciousness in quantum mechanics, cosmology, psychology, engineering, information science, and technological policy. Central questions that span the sprawling array of topics considered are: How, if at all, does the observer and user of the universe alter what is observed and used? Can significant experiments be formulated and executed to ascertain this possible interaction between observer and the universe? Does the observer create the reality through observing it? If so, can “models” be designed that acknowledge the function of consciousness in this interaction process?