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Identity and uncertainty in Everett's multiverse

Tappenden, Paul (2008) Identity and uncertainty in Everett's multiverse. [Preprint]

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Abstract

In the current debate on the concept of probability in the Everett interpretation of quantum mechanics Saunders and Wallace argue for a notion of pre-measurement uncertainty whilst Greaves and Myrvold attempt to do without uncertainty altogether. Both these approaches are controversial and I suggest a middle way. I develop in detail an argument which Wallace has hinted at and Greaves has seen as beside the point in order to show that Vaidman’s concept of post-measurement uncertainty has more relevance to pre-measurement decision making than has hitherto been generally recognised. Further, Vaidman uncertainty leads naturally to another form of post-measurement uncertainty which clarifies the process of experimental confirmation of quantum mechanics in the Everett picture. I also stress the importance of Sider’s theory of transtemporal identity in making Everett’s multiverse intelligible.


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Item Type: Preprint
Creators:
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Tappenden, Paul
Additional Information: In submission
Keywords: Everett, many-worlds, uncertainty, probability, identity, branching
Subjects: Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Mechanics
Depositing User: paul tappenden
Date Deposited: 18 Feb 2008
Last Modified: 07 Oct 2010 15:16
Item ID: 3896
Subjects: Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Mechanics
Date: February 2008
URI: https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/3896

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