From Chemistry to Consciousness : The Legacy of Hans Primas

This book reflects on the significant and highly original scientific contributions of Hans Primas. A professor of chemistry at ETH Zurich from 1962 to 1995, Primas continued his research activities until his death in 2014. Over these 50 years and more, he worked on the foundations of nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, contributed to a number of significant issues in theoretical chemistry, helped to clarify central topics in quantum theory and the philosophy of physics, suggested innovative ways of addressing interlevel relations in the philosophy of science, and introduced cutting-edge approaches in the flourishing young field of scientific studies of consciousness. His work in these areas of research and its continuing impact is described by noted experts, colleagues, and collaborators of Primas. All authors contextualize their contributions to facilitate the mutual dialog between these fields. Front Matter....Pages i-xii Hans Primas and His Early Pathway....Pages 1-14 Hans Primas—An Inspiring Teacher....Pages 15-22 Theoretical Chemistry and More: Personal Annotations to Hans Primas and His Work....Pages 23-43 Superselection Rules....Pages 45-70 Primas, Emergence, and Worlds....Pages 71-93 Contextual Emergence of Deterministic and Stochastic Descriptions....Pages 95-110 Aspects of Algebraic Quantum Theory: A Tribute to Hans Primas....Pages 111-125 Non-commutative Structures from Quantum Physics to Consciousness Studies....Pages 127-146 Back Matter....Pages 147-154