‘Deep in the human unconsciousness is a pervasive need for a logical universe that makes sense. But the real universe is always one step beyond logic.’
— From The Sayings of Muad’Dib’ by the Princess Irulan (From ‘Dune’ by Frank Herbert)

Recently I read the novel ‘Dune’ by Frank Herbert for the first time. It was long overdue. Not that I am such an intellectual (more of a cinelectual if anything), but I do tend to read the absolute classics in the sci-fi genre.

I really liked the book. It has great characters and does worldbuilding on a grand scale. It also touches upon the main topic I am covering on this platform: the mind and its relation to the workings of the universe.

Since my own mind is laser-focussed on anything related to this topic, I tend to notice lines like these: ‘The prescience, he realized, was an illumination that incorporated the limits of what it revealed – at once a source of accuracy and meaningful error. A kind of Heisenberg indeterminacy intervened: the expenditure of energy that revealed what he saw, changed what he saw.’

I found it curious that he mentioned Heisenberg because Heisenberg belongs to the history of Earth, not a planet far far away. It would be like Yoda suddenly mentioning Einstein’s theory of relativity in ‘Star Wars’. Anyway, I did some googling about ‘Dune’ and ‘Heisenberg’ and noticed Frank Herbert has written a novel called ‘The Eyes of Heisenberg’. So he is definitely into the topics of quantum mechanics, consciousness and reality.

For those who need a reminder: Heisenberg is famous mostly for the Uncertainty Principle. This principle states that the position and the velocity of a quantum object cannot both be measured exactly, at the same time, even in theory. So when you know how fast an object is traveling, you cannot at the same time know where that object is. This is not because of the limits of our measuring equipment, but because this indeterminacy is inherent in nature.

Robert Lanza has used the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle to argue that the conscious observer creates reality. Why would an external electron care if you measure both its momentum and position? It doesn’t. The reason you can’t measure both is because the electron is located in your mind. As soon as you pinpoint its position, it no longer has any momentum.

This concept of an observer determined outcome is present throughout ‘Dune’. The novel also incorporates the Many-world interpretation of quantum mechanics, in the way that Robert Lanza means it. Our universe is but one manifestation of many potential universes, but it requires conscious observers to transform a potential universe into a manifest physical one.

In ‘Dune’, protagonist Paul Atreides has the ability to mentally tap into the possible other worlds that might become real, and uses this knowledge to guide the people of Arakis – the Freman – to a better future. Here’s how Paul uses this power (in the passage above referred to as prescience):

1) Prescient Visions Of Multiple Futures
Paul experiences his prescient abilities most vividly when he consumes spice, which heightens his senses and expands his perception of time. He can see many possible futures and outcomes, sometimes stretching far into the future. This allows him to anticipate actions and make decisions based on their potential consequences. However, this ability is not absolute – he cannot see everything clearly and often has to navigate through a web of possible futures.

Picture: Free-Consciousness

2) Balancing The Best Possible Outcome
Paul’s power comes with the heavy burden of trying to choose the best possible future. Throughout ‘Dune’, he realizes that many of the futures he foresees are fraught with danger, destruction and death. Not only for himself but for the universe at large. The key challenge is steering events in a direction that avoids the worst outcomes, such as the jihad carried out in his name – a genocidal holy war that would spread across the galaxy. He uses his prescience to mitigate as much damage as possible while pushing toward a future where the Fremen of Arrakis gain autonomy and the empire is reshaped in a way that aligns with his vision of justice and peace.

3) Sacrificing For The Greater Good
In the end, Paul understands that achieving the best possible future for Arrakis, the Fremen, and the galaxy comes at a great personal cost. He sacrifices his own desires and individuality to become a larger-than-life figure, knowing that this may lead to unintended consequences like the jihad. Despite this, he accepts his role in shaping the future, recognizing that some level of destruction is unavoidable if he is to create a new, more just order in the universe.

Achieving The Best Possible Future For Arrakis
Paul’s prescient power allows him to guide Arrakis toward a future where the Fremen gain power and control of their planet. He helps bring about the downfall of the Harkonnens and the corrupt Imperial regime, establishing himself as the Emperor. However, he knows that even as he achieves these victories, darker consequences loom, especially the religious war that will follow his ascent. Ultimately, Paul seeks to balance his responsibilities as a ruler and messiah with his desire to avoid the worst futures, making choices that reshape the galaxy for better and for worse.

Paul’s journey reflects the complexities of power, fate and the consequences of prescience, showing how even someone who can see the future is not fully free from the constraints of destiny.

In the end, ‘Dune’ reminds us that even with the power to see countless potential universes that exist, the interplay of consciousness, choice, and uncertainty remains as complex and indeterminate as the quantum realities that underpin our universe.

Featured Image: Dune sketch by TheFearMaster on DeviantArt