The Everett-Wheeler interpretation and the open future

Journal Article · Mon Mar 28 00:00:00 EDT 2011 · AIP Conference Proceedings

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.3578742· OSTI ID:21511520

Sudbery, Anthony ^[1]

---

1. Department of Mathematics, University of York, Heslington, York, YO10 5DD (United Kingdom)

I discuss the meaning of probability in the Everett-Wheeler interpretation of quantum mechanics, together with the problem of defining histories. To resolve these, I propose an understanding of probability arising from a form of temporal logic: the probability of a future-tense proposition is identified with its truth value in a many-valued and context-dependent logic. In short, probability is degree of truth. These ideas relate to traditional naive ideas of time and chance. Indeed, I argue that Everettian quantum mechanics is the only form of scientific theory that truly incorporates the perception that the future is open.

• OSTI ID: 21511520
• Journal Information: AIP Conference Proceedings, Vol. 1327, Issue 1; Conference: International conference on advances in quantum theory, Vaexjoe (Sweden), 14-17 Jun 2010; Other Information: DOI: 10.1063/1.3578742; (c) 2011 American Institute of Physics; ISSN 0094-243X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
FUNCTIONAL ANALYSIS
OPEN CONFIGURATIONS
PROBABILITY
QUANTUM MECHANICS
WAVE EQUATIONS
DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS
EQUATIONS
MAGNETIC FIELD CONFIGURATIONS
MATHEMATICS
MECHANICS
PARTIAL DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS