Consciousness and the Quantum Wave Function with Richard Lucido

Sep 30, 2025

Richard James Lucido, a PhD in psychology and author, delves into the fascinating ties between consciousness and quantum mechanics. He presents his theory of naturalistic idealism, arguing that consciousness is the foundation of reality while matter is just information. Lucido discusses experiments suggesting that consciousness may collapse the quantum wave function and how time affects our conscious experience. He also explores the implications of his findings, including the intriguing question of whether animals can influence quantum outcomes.

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INSIGHT

Consciousness As Primary Reality

Idealism holds that consciousness, not matter, is the primary constituent of reality.
Richard Lucido argues we only ever access reality through consciousness, so it must be foundational.

INSIGHT

Quantum Mechanics Aligns With Idealism

Quantum mechanics fits idealism because matter lacks persistent objective presence over time.
Lucido views physical reality as information that naturally suits consciousness as the fundament.

INSIGHT

Essence vs Temporal Being

Some entities exist only as essence (information) and lack temporal being, like numbers or elementary particles.
Lucido contrasts essences with consciousness, which holds extended, individuated existence through time.

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Consciousness and the Quantum Wave Function with Richard Lucido

Richard James Lucido earned a PhD. in psychology from Wayne State University in 2011. He is a practitioner of educational and behavioral psychology in the Detroit Area. He is the author of Existence & Consciousness: A Theory of Naturalistic Idealism. A peer reviewed author of papers spanning the disciplines of psychology, philosophy, and education, Dr. Lucido’s main interest is the subject of metaphysical idealism, the notion that consciousness is the primary constituent of reality.

Dr. Lucido speaks about the relationship between consciousness and quantum mechanics. Richard outlines his theory of naturalistic idealism, where consciousness is primary, and matter emerges as information. Lucido also describes his experimental work testing whether consciousness itself causes the collapse of the quantum wave function.

00:00:00 Introduction: consciousness and quantum reality
00:02:30 What is idealism?
00:06:30 Quantum physics meets consciousness
00:10:10 Existence vs. essence
00:16:00 How time shapes conscious experience
00:22:30 The quantum wave function explained
00:27:20 Can consciousness collapse reality?
00:40:00 Surprising results from experiments
00:52:50 Do cats collapse the wave function?
00:57:50 Why replication matters
01:03:07 Conclusion

New Thinking Allowed host, Jeffrey Mishlove, PhD, is author of The Roots of Consciousness, Psi Development Systems, and The PK Man. Between 1986 and 2002 he hosted and co-produced the original Thinking Allowed public television series. He is the recipient of the only doctoral diploma in “parapsychology” ever awarded by an accredited university (University of California, Berkeley, 1980). He is also the Grand Prize winner of the 2021 Bigelow Institute essay competition regarding the best evidence for survival of human consciousness after permanent bodily death. He currently serves as Co-Director of Parapsychology Education at the California Institute for Human Science.

(Recorded on August 30, 2025)

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