How can Many Worlds be reconciled with unequal probabilities

In summary, the many worlds interpretation suggests that for every quantum event, the universe splits into multiple branches. This includes quantum events with non-equal probabilities, but the specific mechanism for determining which branch an observer ends up in is still unclear. This is known as the problem of the origin of the Born rule in MWI and remains an unsolved issue.
  • #1
Sherwood Botsford
91
22
If I understand the many worlds QM interpretation correctly, for every quantum event the universe divides.

However not all quantum events have a 50/50 probability. How does the many worlds interpretation deal with quantum events that have,say a 1/3 2/3 probability split?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
I have been told that it is the probability that you end up in a certain branch. But that would suggest 'you' don't end up in a different branch. I find it puzzling.
 
  • #3
Sherwood Botsford said:
If I understand the many worlds QM interpretation correctly, for every quantum event the universe divides.

However not all quantum events have a 50/50 probability. How does the many worlds interpretation deal with quantum events that have,say a 1/3 2/3 probability split?
That's essentially the problem of the origin of Born rule in MWI, which is an unsolved problem.
 

1. How can Many Worlds be reconciled with unequal probabilities?

The Many Worlds Interpretation (MWI) of quantum mechanics suggests that every time a measurement is made, the universe splits into multiple branches, each representing a different possible outcome. However, this raises the question of how unequal probabilities are accounted for in this interpretation.

2. Is the Many Worlds Interpretation compatible with the notion of probability?

While the MWI does not deny the existence of probabilities, it offers a different interpretation of their meaning. In this view, probabilities represent our subjective knowledge and uncertainty about the outcomes of measurements, rather than objective properties of the physical world.

3. Can the unequal probabilities in Many Worlds be explained by the concept of decoherence?

Decoherence is the process by which quantum systems become entangled with their environment, leading to the emergence of classical behavior. This process can explain why certain outcomes are more likely to occur in the MWI, as the environment plays a role in determining the branching of universes.

4. How does the Many Worlds Interpretation handle the measurement problem?

The measurement problem in quantum mechanics refers to the question of how a system in a superposition of states can collapse into a single state upon observation. In the MWI, there is no collapse, as all possible outcomes exist in different branches of the universe. This interpretation avoids the need for a specific mechanism to explain the collapse of the wavefunction.

5. What are the criticisms of reconciling Many Worlds with unequal probabilities?

One criticism of this reconciliation is that it is difficult to test or prove, as it relies on the existence of multiple parallel universes that cannot be observed directly. Additionally, the MWI has been criticized for being overly complicated and lacking empirical evidence. However, it remains a popular interpretation among some scientists and philosophers.

Similar threads

  • Quantum Interpretations and Foundations
Replies
1
Views
355
  • Quantum Interpretations and Foundations
Replies
16
Views
1K
  • Quantum Interpretations and Foundations
2
Replies
41
Views
3K
  • Quantum Interpretations and Foundations
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • Quantum Interpretations and Foundations
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • Quantum Interpretations and Foundations
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • Quantum Interpretations and Foundations
Replies
2
Views
943
  • Quantum Interpretations and Foundations
Replies
17
Views
1K
  • Quantum Interpretations and Foundations
Replies
12
Views
1K
  • Quantum Interpretations and Foundations
Replies
7
Views
1K
Back
Top