Article ID Journal Published Year Pages File Type
1161792 Studies in History and Philosophy of Science Part B: Studies in History and Philosophy of Modern Physics 2007 18 Pages PDF
Abstract

We discuss the meaning of probabilities in the many worlds interpretation of quantum mechanics. We start by presenting very briefly the many worlds theory, how the problem of probability arises, and some unsuccessful attempts to solve it in the past. Then we criticize a recent attempt by Deutsch to derive the quantum mechanical probabilities from the non-probabilistic parts of quantum mechanics and classical decision theory. We further argue that the Born probability does not make sense even as an additional probability rule in the many worlds theory. Our conclusion is that the many worlds theory fails to account for the probabilistic statements of standard (collapse) quantum mechanics.

Related Topics
Physical Sciences and Engineering Physics and Astronomy Physics and Astronomy (General)
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