The DOI matches its Crossref record; 43 of the 44 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.
On schizophrenic experiences of the neutron or why we should believe in the many-worlds interpretation of quantum theory
Open accessAbstract
This is a philosophical paper in favor of the many‐worlds interpretation (MWI) of quantum theory. The necessity of introducing many worlds is explained by analyzing a neutron interference experiment. The concept of the “measure of existence of a world” is introduced and some difficulties with the issue of probability in the framework of the MWI are resolved.
Overview
The claims and statistics of this paper haven’t been checked yet.
Run the check — free, no account needed. It reads the open-access text and checks the sources it cites.
Integrity signals
Registry
Cites
Statistics
Verification
Claims the paper makes
The claims and statistics of this paper haven’t been checked yet.
Run the check — free, no account needed. It reads the open-access text and checks the sources it cites.
Claims other papers make about this one
Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?
The cited source doesn’t support the claim as written.
In the citing paper
“The only way to introduce ignorance is to apply a 'sleeping pill' trick [3] which leads to a situation in which an observer splits according to the outcome of the measurement without being aware of the outcome.”
From Why the Many-Worlds Interpretation? (2022) · cites this paper as [3]
Checked by a reasoning model — may be wrong.
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredThe source backs part of the claim, not all of it — or backs it for a different population, condition or comparison.
In the citing paper
“The justification is very different: we care for all future parallel worlds according to their 'measure of existence' [3, 7] which is proportional to the objective probabilities of the corresponding possible collapsing worlds.”
From Why the Many-Worlds Interpretation? (2022) · cites this paper as [3]
Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
Self-check
Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.
The self-check needs the paper’s full text.
Citations
Cites
On the Einstein Podolsky Rosen paradox
Bell, J. S. (1964) · Physics Physique Fizika · doi:10.1103/physicsphysiquefizika.1.195 · Cited by 12,252
Algorithms for quantum computation: discrete logarithms and factoring
Shor, P. W. (2002) · Proceedings 35th Annual Symposium on Foundations of Computer Science · doi:10.1109/sfcs.1994.365700 · Cited by 8,713
A Suggested Interpretation of the Quantum Theory in Terms of "Hidden" Variables. I
Bohm, D. (1952) · Physical Review · doi:10.1103/physrev.85.166 · Cited by 5,510
Quantum theory, the Church–Turing principle and the universal quantum computer
Deutsch, D. (1985) · Proceedings of the Royal Society of London. A. Mathematical and Physical Sciences · doi:10.1098/rspa.1985.0070 · Cited by 4,597
"Relative State" Formulation of Quantum Mechanics
Everett, H. (1957) · Reviews of Modern Physics · doi:10.1103/revmodphys.29.454 · Cited by 3,379
Quantum Concepts in Space and Time
Penrose, R., & Isham, C. J. (1986) · Clarendon Press eBooks · Cited by 757
DeWitt, B. S. (1970) · Physics Today · doi:10.1063/1.3022331 · Cited by 678
Quantum mechanical interaction-free measurements
Elitzur, A. C., & Vaidman, L. (1993) · Foundations of Physics · doi:10.1007/bf00736012 · Cited by 673
Preferred States, Predictability, Classicality and the Environment-Induced Decoherence
Zurek, W. H. (1993) · Progress of Theoretical Physics · doi:10.1143/ptp/89.2.281 · Cited by 525 · cited 1×
“An extensive research, led by Zurek (1993), of the role of the environment in the measuring process shows the stability of local events in the causal chain of a human observer.”
BackgroundInterpreting the many worlds interpretation
Albert, D. Z., & Loewer, B. (1988) · Synthese · doi:10.1007/bf00869434 · Cited by 477
Research works printed but not linked: 2
- Lockwood M., 1989, Mind, Brain & the Quantum
- Wigner E.P., 1962, The Scientist Speculates, 284
Cited by
Sorted by citations
Decoherence, the measurement problem, and interpretations of quantum mechanics
Schlosshauer, M. (2005) · Reviews of Modern Physics · doi:10.1103/revmodphys.76.1267 · Cited by 1,443
Quantum theory cannot consistently describe the use of itself
Frauchiger, D., & Renner, R. (2018) · Nature Communications · doi:10.1038/s41467-018-05739-8 · Cited by 333
Everettian rationality: defending Deutsch's approach to probability in the Everett interpretation
Wallace, D. (2003) · Studies in History and Philosophy of Science Part B Studies in History and Philosophy of Modern Physics · doi:10.1016/s1355-2198(03)00036-4 · Cited by 250
Quantum theory cannot consistently describe the use of itself
Frauchiger, D., & Renner, R. (2018) · RePEc: Research Papers in Economics · doi:10.3929/ethz-b-000293141 · Cited by 241
Wallace, D. (2003) · Studies in History and Philosophy of Science Part B Studies in History and Philosophy of Modern Physics · doi:10.1016/s1355-2198(02)00085-0 · Cited by 231
Understanding Deutsch's probability in a deterministic multiverse
Greaves, H. (2004) · Studies in History and Philosophy of Science Part B: Studies in History and Philosophy of Modern Physics · doi:10.1016/j.shpsb.2004.04.006 · Cited by 178
Lewis, P. J. (2016) · doi:10.1093/acprof:oso/9780190469825.001.0001 · Cited by 150
Self-Locating Uncertainty and the Origin of Probability in Everettian Quantum MechanicsPreprint
Sebens, C. T., & Carroll, S. M. (2014) · Cited by 138
Beisbart, C., & Hartmann, S. (2011) · doi:10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199577439.001.0001 · Cited by 136
Many-Worlds and Schrodinger’s First Quantum TheoryPreprint
Allori, V., Goldstein, S., Tumulka, R., & Zanghı̀, N. (2009) · PhilSci-Archive (University of Pittsburgh) · Cited by 122
Worlds in the Everett interpretation
Wallace, D. (2002) · Studies in History and Philosophy of Science Part B Studies in History and Philosophy of Modern Physics · doi:10.1016/s1355-2198(02)00032-1 · Cited by 120
Weak-measurement elements of reality
Lev Vaidman, A. (1996) · Foundations of Physics · doi:10.1007/bf02148832 · Cited by 114
Wallace, D. (2006) · The British Journal for the Philosophy of Science · doi:10.1093/bjps/axl023 · Cited by 104
Self-locating Uncertainty and the Origin of Probability in Everettian Quantum Mechanics
Sebens, C. T., & Carroll, S. M. (2016) · The British Journal for the Philosophy of Science · doi:10.1093/bjps/axw004 · Cited by 113
Uncertainty and probability for branching selves
Lewis, P. J. (2006) · Studies in History and Philosophy of Science Part B Studies in History and Philosophy of Modern Physics · doi:10.1016/j.shpsb.2006.02.001 · Cited by 69
Chance in the Everett Interpretation
Saunders, S. W. (2010) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199560561.003.0008 · Cited by 75
Many Worlds and Schrödinger’s First Quantum Theory
Allori, V., Goldstein, S., Tumulka, R., & Zanghì, N. (2011) · The British Journal for the Philosophy of Science · doi:10.1093/bjps/axp053 · Cited by 71
Experimental motivation and empirical consistency in minimal no-collapse quantum mechanics
Schlosshauer, M. (2005) · Annals of Physics · doi:10.1016/j.aop.2005.10.004 · Cited by 74
Variations on the Theme of the Greenberger-Horne-Zeilinger Proof
Lev Vaidman, A. (1999) · Foundations of Physics · doi:10.1023/a:1018868326838 · Cited by 67
Quantum theory and determinism
Vaidman, L. (2014) · Quantum Studies: Mathematics and Foundations · doi:10.1007/s40509-014-0008-4 · Cited by 65
Probability out of Determinism
Strevens, M. (2011) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199577439.003.0013 · Cited by 67
Evidence and Uncertainty in Everett’s Multiverse
Tappenden, P. (2010) · The British Journal for the Philosophy of Science · doi:10.1093/bjps/axq006 · Cited by 62
Four tails problems for dynamical collapse theories
McQueen, K. J. (2015) · Studies in History and Philosophy of Science Part B Studies in History and Philosophy of Modern Physics · doi:10.1016/j.shpsb.2014.12.001 · Cited by 63
The Two-State Vector Formalism of Quantum Mechanics
Aharonov, Y., & Lev Vaidman, A. (2007) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/3-540-45846-8_13 · Cited by 63
Probability in the Many-Worlds Interpretation of Quantum Mechanics
Lev Vaidman, A. (2011) · The frontiers collection · doi:10.1007/978-3-642-21329-8_18 · Cited by 58
About Position Measurements Which do Not Show the Bohmian Particle Position
Aharonov, Y., & Lev Vaidman, A. (1996) · Boston studies in the philosophy of science · doi:10.1007/978-94-015-8715-0_10 · Cited by 60
In defence of the self-location uncertainty account of probability in the many-worlds interpretation
McQueen, K. J., & Lev Vaidman, A. (2018) · Studies in History and Philosophy of Science Part B Studies in History and Philosophy of Modern Physics · doi:10.1016/j.shpsb.2018.10.003 · Cited by 55
Quantum probability and many worlds
Hemmo, M., & Pitowsky, I. (2007) · Studies in History and Philosophy of Science Part B Studies in History and Philosophy of Modern Physics · doi:10.1016/j.shpsb.2006.04.005 · Cited by 55
Rubin, M. A. (2003) · Foundations of Physics · doi:10.1023/a:1023765114419 · Cited by 54
Objective Probability in Everettian Quantum Mechanics
Wilson, A. (2012) · The British Journal for the Philosophy of Science · doi:10.1093/bjps/axs022 · Cited by 49
Remarks on Space-Time and Locality in Everett’s Interpretation
Bacciagaluppi, G. (2002) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-94-010-0385-8_7 · Cited by 49
Sider, T. (2018) · Journal of the American Philosophical Association · doi:10.1017/apa.2018.7 · Cited by 48
Pearle, P. (2008) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/bfb0104404 · Cited by 68
The Measurement Problem: Decoherence and Convivial Solipsism
Hervé Zwirn, C. (2016) · Foundations of Physics · doi:10.1007/s10701-016-9999-5 · Cited by 53
Nonlocal aspects of a quantum wave
Aharonov, Y., & Lev Vaidman, A. (2000) · Physical Review A · doi:10.1103/physreva.61.052108 · Cited by 49
Saunders and Wallace on Everett and Lewis
Tappenden, P. (2008) · The British Journal for the Philosophy of Science · doi:10.1093/bjps/axn019 · Cited by 44
Saunders, S. W. (2010) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199560561.003.0001 · Cited by 39
The relative facts interpretation and Everett's note added in proof
Conroy, C. (2012) · Studies in History and Philosophy of Science Part B Studies in History and Philosophy of Modern Physics · doi:10.1016/j.shpsb.2012.03.001 · Cited by 38
The measure of existence of a quantum world and the Sleeping Beauty Problem
Groisman, B., Hallakoun, N., & Vaidman, L. (2013) · Analysis · doi:10.1093/analys/ant072 · Cited by 34
Quantum Probability and Decision Theory, RevisitedPreprint
Wallace, D. (2002) · arXiv (Cornell University) · doi:10.48550/arxiv.quant-ph/0211104 · Cited by 44
Probability, Self-Location, and Quantum Branching
Lewis, P. J. (2009) · Philosophy of Science · doi:10.1086/605805 · Cited by 34
On the Paradoxical Aspects of New Quantum Experiments
Vaidman, L. (1994) · PSA: Proceedings of the Biennial Meeting of the Philosophy of Science Association · doi:10.1086/psaprocbienmeetp.1994.1.193026 · Cited by 32
Friederich, S. (2021) · Cambridge University Press eBooks · doi:10.1017/9781108765947 · Cited by 35
Papineau, D. (2010) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199560561.003.0009 · Cited by 32
Some Worlds of Quantum TheoryPreprint
Butterfield, J. (2001) · PhilSci-Archive (University of Pittsburgh) · doi:10.48550/arxiv.quant-ph/0105052 · Cited by 36
Branch-counting in the Everett interpretation of quantum mechanics
Saunders, S. W. (2021) · Proceedings of the Royal Society A Mathematical Physical and Engineering Sciences · doi:10.1098/rspa.2021.0600 · Cited by 34
Locality in the Everett Interpretation of Heisenberg-Picture Quantum Mechanics
Rubin, M. A. (2001) · Foundations of Physics Letters · doi:10.1023/a:1012357515678 · Cited by 31
The Past Histories of Molecules
Callender, C. (2011) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199577439.003.0004 · Cited by 30
Interpreting Probabilities in Quantum Field Theory and Quantum Statistical Mechanics
Ruetsche, L., & Earman, J. (2011) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199577439.003.0010 · Cited by 28
Can the World Beshown to be Indeterministic after all?
Wüthrich, C. (2011) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199577439.003.0014 · Cited by 29
Time Symmetry and the Many‐Worlds Interpretation
Lev Vaidman, A. (2010) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199560561.003.0024 · Cited by 28
Frigg, R., & Werndl, C. (2011) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199577439.003.0005 · Cited by 30
Time-Symmetrized Counterfactuals in Quantum Theory
Lev Vaidman, A. (1999) · Foundations of Physics · doi:10.1023/a:1018826607583 · Cited by 30
The Everett Interpretation: Probability 1
Saunders, S. W. (2021) · Routledge eBooks · doi:10.4324/9781315623818-21 · Cited by 27
Lev Vaidman, A. (2020) · Jerusalem studies in philosophy and history of science · doi:10.1007/978-3-030-34316-3_26 · Cited by 27
Subjective Probability and Statistical Physics
Uffink, J. (2011) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199577439.003.0002 · Cited by 27
Quantum Probability from Temporal Structure
Ridley, M. (2023) · Quantum Reports · doi:10.3390/quantum5020033 · Cited by 25
Foundations of Quantum Mechanics
Adlam, E. (2021) · Cambridge University Press eBooks · doi:10.1017/9781108885515 · Cited by 24
Kent, A. (2014) · Foundations of Physics · doi:10.1007/s10701-014-9862-5 · Cited by 22
Why the Many-Worlds Interpretation?
Vaidman, L. (2022) · Quantum Reports · doi:10.3390/quantum4030018 · Cited by 22
Language use in a branching UniversePreprint
Wallace, D. (2005) · PhilSci-Archive (University of Pittsburgh) · Cited by 20
Physics and the Humean approach to Probability
Hoefer, C. (2011) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199577439.003.0012 · Cited by 18
First Principles Numerical Demonstration of Emergent Decoherent Histories
Strasberg, P., Reinhard, T. E., & Schindler, J. (2024) · Physical Review X · doi:10.1103/physrevx.14.041027 · Cited by 27
Nonlocality Versus Modified Realism
Hervé Zwirn, C. (2019) · Foundations of Physics · doi:10.1007/s10701-019-00314-7 · Cited by 21
A thirder and an Everettian: a reply to Lewis's 'Quantum Sleeping Beauty'
Papineau, D., & Durà-Vilà, V. (2009) · Analysis · doi:10.1093/analys/ann012 · Cited by 15
Probability and Nonlocality in Many Minds Interpretations of Quantum Mechanics
Hemmo, M., & Pitowsky, I. (2003) · The British Journal for the Philosophy of Science · doi:10.1093/bjps/54.2.225 · Cited by 15
The Quantum Mechanics of Minds and Worlds
Hemmo, M. (2002) · Studies in History and Philosophy of Science Part B Studies in History and Philosophy of Modern Physics · doi:10.1016/s1355-2198(02)00024-2 · Cited by 14
Lev Vaidman, A. (2016) · Journal of Physics Conference Series · doi:10.1088/1742-6596/701/1/012020 · Cited by 16
Locality in the Everett Interpretation of Quantum Field Theory
Rubin, M. A. (2002) · Foundations of Physics · doi:10.1023/a:1020477902039 · Cited by 13
Arvan, M. (2013) · The Philosophical Forum · doi:10.1111/phil.12000 · Cited by 13
Are interaction-free measurements interaction free?
Lev Vaidman, A. (2001) · Optics and Spectroscopy · doi:10.1134/1.1405211 · Cited by 13
The Bell Inequality and the Many-Worlds Interpretation
Lev Vaidman, A. (2016) · Cambridge University Press eBooks · doi:10.1017/cbo9781316219393.014 · Cited by 15
Centering the Everett Interpretation
Wilhelm, I. (2021) · The Philosophical Quarterly · doi:10.1093/pq/pqab068 · Cited by 12
Schwarz, W. (2014) · The British Journal for the Philosophy of Science · doi:10.1093/bjps/axu001 · Cited by 12
Three Roads to Objective Probability
Maudlin, T. (2011) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199577439.003.0011 · Cited by 12
Ontology of the Wave Function and the Many-Worlds Interpretation
Lev Vaidman, A. (2019) · Cambridge University Press eBooks · doi:10.1017/9781108562218.007 · Cited by 12
Quantum mechanics as a deterministic theory of a continuum of worlds
Boström, K. J. (2015) · Quantum Studies: Mathematics and Foundations · doi:10.1007/s40509-015-0046-6 · Cited by 10
Objective probability and the mind-body relation
Tappenden, P. (2017) · Studies in History and Philosophy of Science Part B Studies in History and Philosophy of Modern Physics · doi:10.1016/j.shpsb.2017.01.007 · Cited by 10
Bacciagaluppi, G. (2014) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-319-04382-1_27 · Cited by 9
Quantum Probabilities: An Information‐Theoretic Interpretation
Bub, J. (2011) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199577439.003.0009 · Cited by 9
Defending Time-Symmetrized Quantum TheoryPreprint
Lev Vaidman, A. (1996) · arXiv (Cornell University) · doi:10.48550/arxiv.quant-ph/9609007 · Cited by 9
Wave function realism and three dimensions
Vaidman, L. (2022) · Synthese Library · doi:10.1007/978-3-030-99642-0_14 · Cited by 8
Multiplicity in Everett׳s interpretation of quantum mechanics
Marchildon, . (2015) · Studies in History and Philosophy of Science Part B Studies in History and Philosophy of Modern Physics · doi:10.1016/j.shpsb.2015.08.010 · Cited by 10
Quantum mechanics as a deterministic theory of a continuum of worlds
Boström, K. J. (2015) · PhilPapers (PhilPapers Foundation) · Cited by 8
No Evidence for ParticlesPreprint
Blood, C. (2008) · arXiv (Cornell University) · doi:10.48550/arxiv.0807.3930 · Cited by 11
Reply to Lewis: metaphysics versus epistemology
Papineau, D., & Durà-Vilà, V. (2009) · Analysis · doi:10.1093/analys/ann014 · Cited by 8
WHY THE HAMILTON OPERATOR ALONE IS NOT ENOUGHPreprint
Schmelzer, I. (2012) · Cited by 8
Quantum fractionalism: The Born rule as a consequence of the complex Pythagorean theorem
Mandolesi, A. L. G. (2020) · Physics Letters A · doi:10.1016/j.physleta.2020.126725 · Cited by 8
Observers and Locality in Everett Quantum Field Theory
Rubin, M. A. (2011) · Foundations of Physics · doi:10.1007/s10701-011-9543-6 · Cited by 7
Everettian theory as pure wave mechanics plus a no-collapse probability postulate
Tappenden, P. (2019) · Synthese · doi:10.1007/s11229-019-02467-4 · Cited by 11
Pure Quantum Interpretations Are not Viable
Schmelzer, I. (2010) · Foundations of Physics · doi:10.1007/s10701-010-9484-5 · Cited by 7
There Is No Basis Ambiguity in Everett Quantum Mechanics
Rubin, M. A. (2004) · Foundations of Physics Letters · doi:10.1023/b:fopl.0000035668.37005.e0 · Cited by 7
Probability in many-worlds theories
Short, A. (2023) · Quantum · doi:10.22331/q-2023-04-06-971 · Cited by 6
Drezet, A. (2021) · Quantum Studies Mathematics and Foundations · doi:10.1007/s40509-021-00247-9 · Cited by 6
Wilhelm, I. (2023) · Quantum Reports · doi:10.3390/quantum5010021 · Cited by 6
Indispensable role of quantum theory in the brain dynamics
Kurita, Y. (2005) · Biosystems · doi:10.1016/j.biosystems.2004.12.001 · Cited by 9
Hemmo, M., & Shenker, O. (2022) · Synthese · doi:10.1007/s11229-022-03713-y · Cited by 11
Waegell, M. (2017) · Quantum Studies Mathematics and Foundations · doi:10.1007/s40509-017-0108-z · Cited by 6
There Is No Basis Ambiguity in Everett Quantum MechanicsPreprint
Rubin, M. A. (2003) · Cited by 7
A Vectorial Axiomatization of Space – Time Unity
Tkemaladze, J. (2026) · Longevity Horizon · doi:10.65649/t6yawf32 · Cited by 11
Metadata
- Authors
- Vaidman, L.
- Venue
- International Studies in the Philosophy of Science
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 1998-10
- Volume
- 12
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 245-261
- ISSN
- 0269-8595 (ISSN-L)
- 1469-9281
- OpenAlex
- W1973893525
- Semantic Scholar
- 1d5661e907bfab416f6cbef033147f70fdf046fe
- Cited by
- 199
- References
- 44
- Citations by year
- 2026: 7 · 2025: 7 · 2024: 7 · 2023: 12 · 2022: 7 · 2021: 8 · 2020: 6 · 2019: 5 · 2018: 8 · 2017: 8 · 2016: 20 · 2015: 7 · 2014: 9 · 2013: 3 · 2012: 3
- FWCI
- 2.45
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- bronze
- doi.org
- Locations
- International Studies in the Philosophy of Science (publishedVersion)
- arXiv (Cornell University) (submittedVersion)
- CERN Document Server (European Organization for Nuclear Research) (submittedVersion)
- arXiv (Cornell University)
- Funders
- Israel Academy of Sciences and Humanities
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Physics and Astronomy › Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics › Quantum Mechanics and Applications
- Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › Philosophy › Philosophy and Theoretical Science
- Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › History and Philosophy of Science › Philosophy of Biology and Scientific Explanation
- Keywords
- many-worlds interpretation, quantum mechanics, probability in quantum mechanics, interpretation of quantum mechanics
About these checks
Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.
Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.
Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.
What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›
Are you an author, or do you see a problem with this page? Request a review