Another area where the MWI makes a difference is the free will vs determinism debate. The MWI unlike most other quantum interpretations is fully deterministic. There is no longer such a thing as “quantum randomness”. The apparent randomness is basically an illusion due to our consciousness progressing into multiple worlds with multiple outcomes.
This means that in a sense, the MWI returns us to the classical Newtonian universe of clockwork billiard balls clicking together as the basis for reality. It is not precisely that model of course, but the physics is just as deterministic. Hence we are back to the old puzzle of reconciling our feelings of free will with the fact that all of our decisions are ultimately completely determined by factors outside of ourselves.
For most of a century, certain schools of philosophy have fastened onto the supposed randomness of QM as a source of variation that could explain free will. The problem I always saw was that basing free will on quantum randomness might explain the freedom but not the willfulness; being at the mercy of quantum events seems to give no place for asserting control over one’s actions and decisions. But then, some philosophers have claimed that brains could perhaps influence quantum events, pointing to the supposed collapse of the wave function being caused by consciousness as precedent. And we all know how deep that rabbit hole goes.
While this issue does not have any practical implications that I know of, it does mean that one facile escape from the dilemma is no longer available to believers in the MWI.
Another area where the MWI makes a difference is the free will vs determinism debate. The MWI unlike most other quantum interpretations is fully deterministic. There is no longer such a thing as “quantum randomness”. The apparent randomness is basically an illusion due to our consciousness progressing into multiple worlds with multiple outcomes.
This means that in a sense, the MWI returns us to the classical Newtonian universe of clockwork billiard balls clicking together as the basis for reality. It is not precisely that model of course, but the physics is just as deterministic. Hence we are back to the old puzzle of reconciling our feelings of free will with the fact that all of our decisions are ultimately completely determined by factors outside of ourselves.
For most of a century, certain schools of philosophy have fastened onto the supposed randomness of QM as a source of variation that could explain free will. The problem I always saw was that basing free will on quantum randomness might explain the freedom but not the willfulness; being at the mercy of quantum events seems to give no place for asserting control over one’s actions and decisions. But then, some philosophers have claimed that brains could perhaps influence quantum events, pointing to the supposed collapse of the wave function being caused by consciousness as precedent. And we all know how deep that rabbit hole goes.
While this issue does not have any practical implications that I know of, it does mean that one facile escape from the dilemma is no longer available to believers in the MWI.