Abstract
I explore the potential of quantum physics to establish the existence of a domain of physical reality that transcends human experience. Such a transempirical domain is suggested by phenomena, which involve the superposition states of microphysical objects and the virtual states of atoms and molecules. Superposition states are real because they can manifest themselves in empirical phenomena, such as Single-Particle Interference, but they are transempirical, because observation destroys them. Virtual states are real because they can control empirical phenomena, such as spectroscopic transitions, but they are transempirical, because they are empty. In addition to being transempirical, the hidden domain of reality appears to be transmaterial and transpersonal. The appearance, in an empirical science, of a transempirical reality is of great significance and it is seen to engage physics in issues which have traditionally been outside of its domain.
Lothar Schäfer