Probability in many-worlds theories

Anthony J. Short

H.H. Wills Physics Laboratory, University of Bristol, Tyndall Avenue, Bristol, BS8 1TL, U.K.

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Abstract

We consider how to define a natural probability distribution over worlds within a simple class of deterministic many-worlds theories. This can help us understand the typical properties of worlds within such states, and hence explain the empirical success of quantum theory within a many-worlds framework. We give three reasonable axioms which lead to the Born rule in the case of quantum theory, and also yield natural results in other cases, including a many-worlds variant of classical stochastic dynamics.

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Cited by

[1] Ed Seidewitz, "Measurement and Probability in Relativistic Quantum Mechanics", arXiv:2209.12411, (2022).

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