Branching and Uncertainty
Saunders, Simon and Wallace, David (2007) Branching and Uncertainty.
There is a more recent version of this eprint available. Click here to view it.
Full text available as: |
Abstract
Following Lewis, it is widely held that branching worlds differ in important ways from diverging worlds. There is, however, a simple and natural semantics under which sentences uttered in branching worlds have much the same truth conditions as they do in diverging worlds. Under this semantics, whether branching or diverging, speakers cannot say in advance which branch or world is theirs. They are uncertain as to the outcome. This same semantics ensures the truth of utterances typically made about quantum mechanical contingencies, including statements of uncertainty, if the Everett interpretation of quantum mechanics is true. The `incoherence problem' of the Everett interpretation, that it can give no meaning to the notion of uncertainty, is thereby solved.
| Keywords: | branching, diverging, overlapping worlds, Lewis, quantum mechanics, Everett, many worlds interpretation |
|---|---|
| Subjects: | General Issues: Determinism/Indeterminism Specific Sciences: Physics: Quantum Mechanics |
| ID Code: | 3383 |
| Deposited By: | saunders, simon |
| Deposited On: | 12 June 2007 |
Available Versions of this Item
- Branching and Uncertainty (deposited 12 June 2007) [Currently Displayed]
Commentary/Response Threads
- Error: Unknown Citation Style "eprint_thread_commentary" [Currently Displayed]
- Error: Unknown Citation Style "eprint_thread_commentary"