Lewis, Peter J. (2008) Probability, Self-Location and Quantum Branching. In: UNSPECIFIED.

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Abstract

The main problem with the many-worlds theory is that it is not clear how the notion of probability should be understood in a theory in which every possible outcome of a measurement actually occurs. In this paper I argue for the following theses concerning the many-worlds theory: (1) If probability can be applied at all to measurement outcomes, it must function as a measure of an agent’s self-location uncertainty. (2) Such probabilities typically violate Reflection. (3) Many-worlds branching does not have sufficient structure to admit self-location probabilities. (4) Decision-theoretic arguments do not solve this problem, since they presuppose Reflection.

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Item Type:	Conference or Workshop Item (UNSPECIFIED)
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID Lewis, Peter J.
Keywords:	Everett, many worlds, probability, reflection, Sleeping Beauty
Subjects:	Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Mechanics
Depositing User:	Peter J. Lewis
Date Deposited:	05 Nov 2008
Last Modified:	07 Oct 2010 15:17
Item ID:	4309
Subjects:	Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Mechanics
Date:	2008
URI:	https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/4309

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