A Study of Quantum Cognition in Mark Z. Danielewski’s House of Leaves

Abstract

The current study is an analysis of Mark. Z. Danielewski's House of Leaves in terms of quantum cognition. A group of physicists and psychologists introduced the bold idea of applying abstract principles from quantum theory outside of physics to the field of human judgment and decision making. Cognitive scientists have long struggled to form a comprehensive understanding of how humans make judgments and decisions under conflict and uncertainty. In the light of quantum cognition, human judgment and decision are not commutative. In this research, two concepts of quantum cognition are investigated in House of Leaves. The importance of the order in quantum is discussed and narrated the novel in reverse to show the quantum nature of the novel. After that, conjunction fallacy is defined and the researchers chooses three scenarios from the novel to explain conjunction fallacy by the Venn diagram. It is examined how the reader judges the events of the fragmented novel in consideration of quantum essence in House of Leaves. With the help of quantum cognition, it is proved there is a close relationship between postmodern literature and physics and in the twentieth century, discoveries in science have affected literature and House of Leaves.