PhilSci Archive

The World as Wavefunction

Tappenden, Paul (2011) The World as Wavefunction. [Preprint]

WarningThere is a more recent version of this item available.
[img]
Preview
PDF
The_World_as_Wavefunction.pdf - Submitted Version
Available under License Creative Commons Attribution No Derivatives.

Download (172kB)

Abstract

Murray Gell-Mann and James Hartle have made an original proposal for a version of decoherent histories quantum mechanics which is specifically tailored so as not to imply the emergence of multiple quasi-classical worlds. I argue that there is an explanatory gap in the proposal but that there remains an important insight which might be used to tackle what can be seen as an outstanding problem for Hugh Everett III’s “relative state” interpretation of quantum mechanics, if it is understood as giving ontic priority to the wavefunction. The argument employs a recent novel analysis of self-location within any sort of multiverse.


Export/Citation: EndNote | BibTeX | Dublin Core | ASCII/Text Citation (Chicago) | HTML Citation | OpenURL
Social Networking:
Share |

Item Type: Preprint
Creators:
CreatorsEmailORCID
Tappenden, Paulpaulpagetappenden@gmail.com
Additional Information: This paper combines the central idea in my 'A Metaphysics for Semantic Internalism' with an aspect of a recent proposal by Gell-Mann and Hartle to suggest how Everett's 'relative state' interpretation can be understood in terms of a fundamental wavefunction ontology. It is currently in submission.
Keywords: Everett, Decoherent histories, Wavefunction, Ontology
Subjects: Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Mechanics
Depositing User: paul tappenden
Date Deposited: 28 Nov 2011 15:18
Last Modified: 29 Mar 2012 18:41
Item ID: 8918
Subjects: Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Mechanics
Date: 26 November 2011
URI: https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/8918

Available Versions of this Item

Monthly Views for the past 3 years

Monthly Downloads for the past 3 years

Plum Analytics

Actions (login required)

View Item View Item