Abstract
The main problem with the many-worlds theory is that it is not clear how the notion of probability should be understood in a theory in which every possible outcome of a measurement actually occurs. In this paper, I argue for the following theses concerning the many-worlds theory: (1) If probability can be applied at all to measurement outcomes, it must function as a measure of an agent's self-location uncertainty. (2) Such probabilities typically violate reflection. (3) Many-worlds branching does not have sufficient structure to admit self-location probabilities. (4) Decision-theoretic arguments do not solve this problem.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 1009-1019 |
Number of pages | 11 |
Journal | Philosophy of Science |
Volume | 76 |
Issue number | 5 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Dec 2010 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- History
- Philosophy
- History and Philosophy of Science