Parallel Universe: Do Many Possibilities Dissolve?

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    Parallel Universe
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of parallel universes in the context of quantum mechanics, particularly focusing on the implications of the Schrödinger equation and interpretations of quantum mechanics such as wave-function collapse and the Many-worlds interpretation. Participants explore whether choosing a state leads to the dissolution of other possibilities or if they remain as realities.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants propose that if parallel universes are real, then choosing one state may lead to the dissolution of other possible states, while others argue that these states may still exist as possibilities.
  • Several participants mention the Many-worlds interpretation of quantum mechanics, noting that it does not necessarily imply that a 'choice' is made when observing a state.
  • There is a suggestion that interpretations of quantum mechanics vary, with some asserting that once an observation is made, other possibilities are no longer relevant, while others, like Mark Templer, claim that these possibilities remain present.
  • Participants express confusion over the coherence of the initial questions and request clarifications on the concepts being discussed.
  • One participant emphasizes that the formalism of quantum mechanics is agreed upon, but interpretations of that formalism are debated, highlighting the complexity of the topic.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on whether other possibilities remain after an observation in quantum mechanics. There are multiple competing views regarding the implications of the Many-worlds interpretation and other interpretations of quantum mechanics.

Contextual Notes

The discussion highlights the dependence of interpretations on the formalism of quantum mechanics, and the varying opinions on the relevance of unobserved possibilities after an observation is made.

qudrat ullah
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if parallel universe are real... means according to schordinger equation..many possible states..then when we chose anyone state..then other options or i mean possible states would dissolve into one single option whom to chose... or remains present as a reality...?
 
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What does what mean?
 
mfb said:
What does what mean?
please are you believe in paralllel universe
 
qudrat ullah said:
... when we chose anyone state...
There is nothing in the many worlds interpretations of QM which implies a 'choice'.
Also the many worlds' interpretations are not the only interpretations, there are others which do not require many worlds.
Even those interpretations which do involve many worlds do not necessesaraly imply that actual physical realisations of alternative realities exist.
The alternative worlds can be just 'possibilities'.
 
rootone said:
There is nothing in the many worlds interpretations of QM which implies a 'choice'.
Also the many worlds' interpretations are not the only interpretations, there are others which do not require many worlds.
Even those interpretations which do involve many worlds do not necessesaraly imply that actual physical realisations of alternative realities exist.
The alternative worlds can be just 'possibilities'.
when we say any electron will be in many possibile states..then it means many parallel worlds here

qudrat ullah said:
when we say any electron will be in many possibile states..then it means many parallel worlds here
these possibilties are in real..mark templer said..they are in real...
 
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qudrat ullah said:
when we say any electron will be in many possibile states..then it means many parallel worlds here
No. No interpretation is saying that.

Please do not make multiple posts in a row, you can edit your own posts if you want to add something.
At least for me, it is hard to read your posts.
 
Your question is very incoherent. Can you please rephrase?
 
  • #10
when we say .according to quantum mechanics..there are may possibilities of any event ..until we observe.. when we observe one possibility ..then other possibilities still remains?
 
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  • #11
qudrat ullah said:
when we say .according to quantum mechanics..there are may possibilities of any event ..until we observe.. when we observe one possibility ..then other possibilities still remains?

That's entirely interpretation dependent. In Many Worlds each possibility is a new world. But in most others an observation once done - then that's it - the others no longer are relevant.

Thanks
Bill
 
  • #12
bhobba said:
That's entirely interpretation dependent. In Many Worlds each possibility is a new world. But in most others an observation once done - then that's it - the others no longer are relevant.

Thanks
Bill
but Mark templer says other possibilities remains present
 
  • #13
qudrat ullah said:
but Mark templer says other possibilities remains present

As I said it depends on interpretation. But in the majority that's simply not true.

Thanks
Bill
 
  • #14
bhobba said:
As I said it depends on interpretation. But in the majority that's simply not true.

Thanks
Bill
can you breifly explain
 
  • #15
qudrat ullah said:
can you breifly explain

In QM we have the formalism and interpretations of that formalism. Everyone agrees on the formalism - its the interpretations that are debated.

For the modern view of the formalism check out:
http://www.scottaaronson.com/democritus/lec9.html

As you can see its simply an extension of probability theory. And just like in probability once an outcome occurs, eg throwing a dice, that's it, the outcome occurs and the rest are irrelevant. But there are some interpretations that say - no - each possible outcome is a separate world and what happens is simply we experience that world. Even in standard probability theory you can take that view - it would be a very weird view to take - but you can do it. The reason its taken seriously in QM is it turns out to be very beautiful and mathematically elegant - but it's not to everyone's taste - including mine.

QM interpretations mostly are arguments about the meaning of probability:
http://math.ucr.edu/home/baez/bayes.html

Thanks
Bill
 

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