Why is there no consensus about the meaning of probability in MWI?

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SUMMARY

The forum discussion centers on the lack of consensus regarding the meaning of probability within the Many-Worlds Interpretation (MWI) of quantum mechanics. Participants argue that in a deterministic model, probability does not inherently exist, and in MWI, it arises from the branching of worlds where observers cannot interact. Various approaches to deriving the Born rule, including those by David Deutsch and Simon Saunders, have been proposed but criticized for circular reasoning. Ultimately, the discussion highlights the philosophical complexities and disagreements surrounding the interpretation of probability in MWI.

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  • #271
May I ask - If one entertains the notion of "multiple worlds" that does not interact, why do we care about consensus between them? It seems it's not a problem as long as they don't interact.

What is wrong with the more obvious: We have "many observers" in the same world, but that DO interact. And the quest is to understand how.

QM as we know, does not describe interacting observers. This why therer is a "problem" whenever we put a "classical measurement device" as part of the "quantum side".

I say lets solve the real problem, I dont see how then many worlds concept is constructive in any direction? How does it help?

/Fredrik
 
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  • #272
Fra said:
I say lets solve the real problem, I dont see how then many worlds concept is constructive in any direction? How does it help?

/Fredrik
It doesn't. It's not even a well-defined concept. It's primarily a name given to an interpretation, where things which it would be reasonable to call "worlds" emerge from the model and scare the living hell out of us. They also invite a catchy, if somewhat misleading, name for the interpretation. But these worlds are not used in the arguments of the model as far as I know, and they are certainly not postulated a priori.
 
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  • #273
kered rettop said:
It doesn't.
I think this all the consensus I need.

/Fredrik
 
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  • #274
Fra said:
I think this all the consensus I need.

/Fredrik
Really? You must be the only person on PF who regards my opinions as being a sufficient consensus. Even I take them with a very large pinch of salt!
 
  • #275
Fra said:
QM as we know, does not describe interacting observers.
How do we "know" this?
 
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