# Hard Problem and Free Will: an information-theoretical approach

**Authors:** Giacomo Mauro D'Ariano, Federico Faggin  
**arXiv:** [2012.06580](https://arxiv.org/abs/2012.06580)  
**Date:** 2020-12-14  
**Summary page:** https://www.summarizepaper.com/en/arxiv-id/2012.06580v2/

## Key points

- Giacomo Mauro D’Ariano and Federico Faggin explore consciousness and David Chalmers's 'hard problem'
- Propose a non-reductive psycho-informational solution viewing information as fundamental to experience within a system
- Argue for quantum nature of information due to privacy and entangling qualia states in constructing thoughts
- Develop quantum-information-based panpsychism framework where classical physics supervenes on quantum physics, which then supervenes on quantum information for consciousness
- Discuss internally experienced pure and definite quantum states vs. externally observed mixed epistemic states
- Introduce atomic quantum operations as mechanisms preserving purity in ontic state, corresponding to free will
- Address combination problem of panpsychism through purity of state and evolution resolving the issue
- Explore how quantum state evolution enables short-term buffering of experiences and transfers between classical and quantum information
- Touch upon long-term memory processes involving transitions between classical and quantum states

## Summary

In their paper, Giacomo Mauro D’Ariano and Federico Faggin explore the complexities of consciousness and David Chalmers's 'hard problem'. They propose a non-reductive psycho-informational solution that views information as a fundamental property of experience within a supporting system. The authors argue that this type of information must be quantum in nature due to its inherent privacy and ability to construct thoughts through entangling qualia states. This leads them to develop a quantum-information-based panpsychism framework where classical physics supervenes on quantum physics, which in turn supervenes on quantum information, ultimately giving rise to consciousness. Furthermore, D’Ariano and Faggin discuss the concept of internally experienced pure and definite quantum states contrasted with externally observed mixed epistemic states. They introduce the idea of atomic quantum operations as mechanisms for preserving purity in the ontic state, which they argue corresponds to free will. This interpretation suggests that free will is inherently unpredictable due to the probabilistic nature of quantum probability. The authors also address the combination problem of panpsychism by highlighting how purity of state and evolution can resolve this issue. They explore how quantum state evolution facilitates short-term buffering of experiences and enables transfers between classical and quantum information. Additionally, they touch upon long-term memory processes involving memorization and recall mechanisms that transition between classical and quantum states. Overall, D’Ariano and Faggin provide a comprehensive analysis of consciousness from an information-theoretical perspective. Their work sheds light on the relationship between quantum physics, information processing, and subjective experience in understanding consciousness evolution and free will within a quantum framework.