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Metaphysical indeterminacy in Everettian quantum mechanics.

David Glick1, Baptiste Le Bihan2

  • 1Department of Philosophy, University of California, Davis, 1 Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616 USA.

European Journal for Philosophy of Science
|January 8, 2024
PubMed
Summary

Everettian quantum mechanics (EQM) does not inherently support metaphysical indeterminacy. Arguments for indeterminacy rely on external assumptions, not solely on EQM itself.

Keywords:
EverettIndeterminacyManyMechanicsMetaphysicalQuantumWorlds

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Area of Science:

  • Philosophy of Physics
  • Quantum Mechanics
  • Metaphysics

Background:

  • The debate on metaphysical indeterminacy in Everettian quantum mechanics (EQM) is ongoing.
  • Metaphysical indeterminacy is often linked to superpositions, multiverse branches, and their properties within EQM.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To critically evaluate the claim that EQM justifies metaphysical indeterminacy.
  • To propose an ontological interpretation of EQM that avoids metaphysical indeterminacy.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing arguments linking EQM to metaphysical indeterminacy.
  • Analysis of the reliance of these arguments on auxiliary metaphysical assumptions.
  • Development of a deflationary approach to branches in EQM.

Main Results:

  • Arguments for metaphysical indeterminacy from EQM do not solely rely on the physics of EQM.
  • These arguments require external metaphysical assumptions beyond EQM.
  • EQM can be interpreted ontologically without metaphysical indeterminacy.

Conclusions:

  • The existence of metaphysical indeterminacy is not necessitated by Everettian quantum mechanics alone.
  • A deflationary view of branches, either through elimination or reduction, offers an alternative ontological interpretation of EQM.
  • This approach reconciles EQM with a determinate ontology.