Baker, David (2006) Measurement Outcomes and Probability in Everettian Quantum Mechanics. [Preprint]

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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.

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Item Type:	Preprint
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID Baker, David
Commentary on:	Wallace, David (2002) Quantum Probability and Decision Theory, Revisited. [Preprint]
Additional Information:	Forthcoming in Studies in History and Philosophy of Modern Physics.
Keywords:	Everett interpretation Many worlds Decoherence Probability
Subjects:	Specific Sciences > Probability/Statistics General Issues > Decision Theory Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Mechanics
Depositing User:	David Baker
Date Deposited:	21 May 2006
Last Modified:	07 Oct 2010 15:14
Item ID:	2717
Subjects:	Specific Sciences > Probability/Statistics General Issues > Decision Theory Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Mechanics
Date:	May 2006
URI:	https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/2717

Commentary/Response Threads

• Wallace, David Quantum Probability and Decision Theory, Revisited. (deposited 18 Nov 2002)
  • Baker, David Measurement Outcomes and Probability in Everettian Quantum Mechanics. (deposited 21 May 2006) [Currently Displayed]
  • Greaves, Hilary Understanding Deutsch's probability in a deterministic multiverse. (deposited 03 May 2004)

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