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In defence of the self-location uncertainty account of probability in the many-worlds interpretation

McQueen, Kelvin J. and Vaidman, Lev (2018) In defence of the self-location uncertainty account of probability in the many-worlds interpretation. [Preprint]

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Abstract

We defend the many-worlds interpretation of quantum mechanics (MWI) against the objection that it cannot explain why measurement outcomes are predicted by the Born probability rule. We understand quantum probabilities in terms of an observer's self-location probabilities. We formulate a probability postulate for the MWI: the probability of self-location in a world with a given set of outcomes is the absolute square of that world's amplitude. We provide a proof of this postulate, which assumes the quantum formalism and two principles concerning symmetry and locality. We also show how a structurally similar proof of the Born rule is available for collapse theories. We conclude by comparing our account to the recent account offered by Sebens and Carroll.


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Item Type: Preprint
Creators:
CreatorsEmailORCID
McQueen, Kelvin J.mcqueen@chapman.edu
Vaidman, Levvaidman@post.tau.ac.il
Keywords: Many worlds interpretation; Everett; Probability problem; Self-location uncertainty; measurement problem
Subjects: General Issues > Scientific Metaphysics
Specific Sciences > Physics
Specific Sciences > Probability/Statistics
Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Mechanics
Specific Sciences > Physics > Relativity Theory
Specific Sciences > Physics > Symmetries/Invariances
Depositing User: Dr. Kelvin J. McQueen
Date Deposited: 26 Oct 2018 20:40
Last Modified: 26 Oct 2018 20:40
Item ID: 15195
Subjects: General Issues > Scientific Metaphysics
Specific Sciences > Physics
Specific Sciences > Probability/Statistics
Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Mechanics
Specific Sciences > Physics > Relativity Theory
Specific Sciences > Physics > Symmetries/Invariances
Date: 12 February 2018
URI: https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/15195

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