2001/03/16 by David Wallace · 1 citation
Physics and Astronomy · #quant-ph
published as Studies in the History and Philosophy of Modern Physics 33 (2002) pp. 637-661 · Latex, 27 pages. To appear in Studies in the History and Philosophy of Modern Physics
arxiv created 2001/03/16 · arxiv updated 2009/12/01
This is a discussion of how we can understand the world-view given to us by the Everett interpretation of quantum mechanics, and in particular the role played by the concept of `world'. The view presented is that we are entitled to use `many-worlds' terminology even if the theory does not specify the worlds in the formalism; this is defended by means of an extensive analogy with the concept of an `instant' or moment of time in relativity, with the lack of a preferred foliation of spacetime being compared with the lack of a preferred basis in quantum theory. Implications for identity of worlds over time, and for relativistic quantum mechanics, are discussed.