Against the Empirical Viability of the Deutsch-Wallace-Everett Approach to Quantum Mechanics

Dawid, Richard and Thébault, Karim P. Y. (2013): Against the Empirical Viability of the Deutsch-Wallace-Everett Approach to Quantum Mechanics.

Abstract

The subjective Everettian approach to quantum mechanics presented by Deutsch and Wallace fails to constitute an empirically viable theory of quantum phenomena. The decision theoretic implementation of the Born rule realized in this approach provides no basis for rejecting Everettian quantum mechanics in the face of empirical data that contradicts the Born rule. The approach of Greaves and Myrvold, which provides a subjective implementation of the Born rule as well but derives it from empirical data rather than decision theoretic arguments, avoids the problem faced by Deutsch and Wallace and is empirically viable. However, there is good reason to cast doubts on its scientific value.

• Item Type: Journal article
• Form of publication: Preprint
• Keywords: Everett interpretation quantum mechanics
• Faculties: Philosophy, Philosophy of Science and Religious Science > Munich Center for Mathematical Philosophy (MCMP); Philosophy, Philosophy of Science and Religious Science > Munich Center for Mathematical Philosophy (MCMP) > Philosophy of Physics
• Subjects: 100 Philosophy and Psychology > 100 Philosophy
• Language: English