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Quantum Mechanics and Law: What Does Quantum Mechanics Teach Us?

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Ecological Integrity in Science and Law

Abstract

In this chapter the modern natural sciences, especially the findings of the subjective interpretation of quantum mechanics will be integrated into legal theory. The chapter builds on the thesis that ecological problems occur because man-made law is not consistent with the fundamental laws and principles that govern how the Universe functions. According to the author, these higher fundamental rules, similarly as in the legal theory of St. Aquinas, are different in their nature. Therefore, the study distinguishes between eternal and universal laws. Eternal laws are transcendental in their nature and universal laws are immanent. In order to handle ecological crisis in an effective way, these higher rules should be acknowledged and followed by human law. The meaning and the content of eternal and universal truths is also discussed here. This idea presented in this chapter is underpinned by the theory of Pitrim Sorokin on social and cultural dynamics, as the presented worldview fits in Sorokin’s Idealistic/Integrative Truth. Furthermore, as an ‘integrative’ worldview, it also fits into the interdisciplinary Integrative Worldview Framework (IWF). Finally, the main points of this chapter are assimilated in the findings of contemporary environmental law literature.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    The term immanent is used here in the sense as within the space-time continuum. The meaning of this will be clearer later in this chapter.

  2. 2.

    Note that natural law theorists recently show openness to exploring the role of the virtues and the emotions beside reason.

  3. 3.

    ‘It is important to note that, for Aquinas, natural law is not something separate from eternal law. Rather, for Aquinas, the natural law is the eternal law itself, but regarded under the aspect of its being in us (rational beings) in this unique, twofold way: it is as in created beings that are ruled, measured, and directed by means of it, but also in us as in created (rational) beings that rule, measure, and direct by means of it.’

  4. 4.

    The Vedas are considered the most sacred books of India. They are the original scriptures of Hindu teachings, containing spiritual knowledge encompassing all aspects of life. From the Vedas in this study I will refer to the Bhagavad-Gíta (“Song of the Lord”; BG) This is one of the most popular and authentic Hindu texts and has an important place within the Hindu tradition.

  5. 5.

    Note that this claim is true regarding the secular and not the religious reconsiderations of natural law.

  6. 6.

    According to Aristotle the supreme object of understanding is God and that intelligence (nous) understands itself through participation in the object of understanding.

  7. 7.

    See: the theory of biocentrism; the Integrated Information Theory; BG 2.30; the Bible (Ecclesiastes 3:19) (King James Version ): “For that which befalleth the sons of men befalleth beasts; even one thing befalleth them: as the one dieth, so dieth the other; yea, they have all one breath; so that a man hath no preeminence above a beast: for all is vanity”; the book of Enoch 59:1.; Furthermore according to the Christian mystics St. Teresa of Avila St. the soul and the spirit distinct though united.

  8. 8.

    See: BG 13:17 and 13:28.

  9. 9.

    See: BG 13:15 and 13:30.

  10. 10.

    ‘Scholasticism’ of Plato and Aristotle, of Albertus Magnus and St. Thomas Aquinas; or the ‘scholasticism’ of the Upanisadhs and other idealistic philosophies based upon the Vedas in India are examples of cultures which came close to “idealistic” or “integral” in the history.

  11. 11.

    The ontology of the ‘integrated’ worldview is that reality is transcendent, and immanent; the universe as evolving and creative manifestation of Spirit; nature as constructed and intrinsically valuable.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Debrecen Faculty of Law, Environmental and Labour Law Department, Debrecen, Hungary

    Orsolya Bányai

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  1. Orsolya Bányai
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Correspondence to Orsolya Bányai .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. University of Windsor, Maple, ON, Canada

    Laura Westra

  2. Faculty of Law, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand

    Klaus Bosselmann

  3. Faculty of Law, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium

    Matteo Fermeglia

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Bányai, O. (2020). Quantum Mechanics and Law: What Does Quantum Mechanics Teach Us?. In: Westra, L., Bosselmann, K., Fermeglia, M. (eds) Ecological Integrity in Science and Law. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-46259-8_13

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-46259-8_13

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