Quanta in Distress
How New Age Gurus Kidnapped Quantum Physics
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Beschreibung
This book deconstructs and debunks the lucrative and widespread marriage of quantum physics with pop-spirituality while tracing this pernicious strain of pseudoscience to its source: the founders of quantum mechanics themselves. The association of mystical ideas with modern physics in the self-improvement industry is not new. The “spookiness” of quantum properties like uncertainty and entanglement has proven fertile ground for new-age mystics and alternative medicine advocates who saw a way to put a scientific veneer on their claims. In the early days, the founders of quantum physics accused it of implying an observer-created reality. Later, Taoists and Wu Li dancers were quantized. Then ancient Indian medicine, Ayurveda, morphed into “quantum healing.” Little wonder The Oprah Winfrey Show told its viewers: think about losing weight, making more money, and falling in love, and you’ll become thin, wealthy, and happily married … all based on quantum physics. Criticism of the pseudoscientific misappropriation of quantum physics has been widespread but inadequate; thus far, the scientific community has failed to account for its own role in the fusion of pop-spirituality and quantum physics. As well as thoroughly exploring and debunking quantum mysticism, this book traces the development of quantum mysticism and pulls no punches in exposing the unwitting role of quantum theory’s founders in propagating quantum mysticism.
This book deconstructs and debunks the lucrative and widespread marriage of quantum physics with pop-spirituality while tracing this pernicious strain of pseudoscience to its source: the founders of quantum mechanics themselves. The association of mystical ideas with modern physics in the self-improvement industry is not new. The “spookiness” of quantum properties like uncertainty and entanglement has proven fertile ground for new-age mystics and alternative medicine advocates who saw a way to put a scientific veneer on their claims. In the early days, the founders of quantum physics accused it of implying an observer-created reality. Later, Taoists and Wu Li dancers were quantized. Then ancient Indian medicine, Ayurveda, morphed into “quantum healing.” Little wonder The Oprah Winfrey Show told its viewers: think about losing weight, making more money, and falling in love, and you’ll become thin, wealthy, and happily married … all based on quantum physics. Criticism of the pseudoscientific misappropriation of quantum physics has been widespread but inadequate; thus far, the scientific community has failed to account for its own role in the fusion of pop-spirituality and quantum physics. As well as thoroughly exploring and debunking quantum mysticism, this book traces the development of quantum mysticism and pulls no punches in exposing the unwitting role of quantum theory’s founders in propagating quantum mysticism.
Traces the fusion of quantum physics and mysticism back to the philosophical writings of quantum theory's founders Shows that early quantum scientists' mystical beliefs were in no way supported by their incredible discoveries Thoroughly surveys and debunks the absurd quantum claims offered by pop-spiritualists
Autor*in
Sadri Hassani
Themen in »Quanta in Distress«
quantum mysticism quantum healing science vs. pseudoscience philosophical implications of quantum physics interpretations of quantum physics
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“The book is an appeal to science educators to help sustain scientific literacy and keep quantum physics anchored to science rather than fantasies built around it.” (G.S. Mudur, IIT Madras Shaastra, shaastramag.iitm.ac.in, Vol. 4 (11), December, 2025)
“Hassani impressively charts the principal mistakes made by the spiritual teachers looking for legitimacy via a connection to modern science, an undertaking that requires him to discuss quantum physics in some detail and with great clarity. … this is a rigorously researched and well-argued book that should be read by anyone interested in the commandeering of science by pseudoscience. A meticulous study composed in admirably accessible prose.” (Kirkus, kirkusreviews.com, October 27, 2024)
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