Imagine you’re in a room with a box that contains a cat. Now, this is no ordinary box. It’s a special box that operates according to the principles of quantum mechanics, which is a branch of physics that deals with the behavior of very small particles.
According to a thought experiment called Schrödinger’s cat, the cat inside the box can be in two states simultaneously: alive and dead. This weirdness arises because of a phenomenon known as superposition, where particles can exist in multiple states at once until they’re observed.
Now, let’s apply this idea to the concept of quantum immortality. The idea suggests that if we consider our consciousness as something that can be connected to quantum events, then quantum immortality becomes a possibility.
In the context of quantum immortality, imagine that your consciousness is somehow linked to the quantum states of your brain. According to the many-worlds interpretation of quantum mechanics, every possible outcome of a quantum event creates a new branch of reality.
So, if we follow this line of thinking, there would always be a version of you that survives any life-threatening situation. Even if in one branch of reality, you meet an unfortunate fate, there will always be another branch where you survive.
This is where the term “quantum immortality” comes into play. It suggests that your consciousness will continue to exist in the branch of reality where you survive, regardless of the odds. From your perspective, it would appear as if you’re constantly “cheating death.”