Measurement Outcomes and Probability in Everettian Quantum Mechanics
Baker, David (2006) Measurement Outcomes and Probability in Everettian Quantum Mechanics.
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Abstract
The decision-theoretic account of probability in the Everett or many-worlds interpretation, advanced by David Deutsch and David Wallace, is shown to be circular. Talk of probability in Everett presumes the existence of a preferred basis to identify measurement outcomes for the probabilities to range over. But the existence of a preferred basis can only be established by the process of decoherence, which is itself probabilistic.
| Commentary on: | Wallace, David (2002) Quantum Probability and Decision Theory, Revisited. |
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| EPrint Type: | Preprint |
| Keywords: | Everett interpretation Many worlds Decoherence Probability |
| Subjects: | Specific Sciences: Probability/Statistics General Issues: Decision Theory Specific Sciences: Physics: Quantum Mechanics |
| ID Code: | 2717 |
| Deposited By: | Baker, David |
| Deposited On: | 21 May 2006 |
| Additional Information: | Forthcoming in Studies in History and Philosophy of Modern Physics. |
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