David Deutsch on Multiple Worlds and Our Place in Them

23 snips

Jun 2, 2021

David Deutsch, an Oxford professor and theoretical physicist, dives into the fascinating world of quantum mechanics and the many-worlds interpretation. He challenges the notion that the universe is incomprehensible, arguing instead for our freedom within the multiverse. Discussing Star Trek's transporter, he explores self-identity and decision-making across parallel realities. Deutsch critiques physicists' skepticism toward his ideas, reflects on human instincts versus philosophical ideals, and reveals insights on cultural behaviors in gorillas compared to humans.

Ask episode

AI Snips

Chapters

Transcript

Episode notes

INSIGHT

Possible Worlds and Value

The many-worlds interpretation uses the concept of possible worlds, similar to how different times affect value.
Deutsch explains that valuing things differently across universes and times is normal, like oxygen's value changing with COVID-19.

INSIGHT

Universe Differentiation

The idea of universes "splitting" is inaccurate; they differentiate gradually like geological strata.
The measure of universes remains constant, some gradually changing to one thing, others to another.

INSIGHT

Comprehensibility of the Universe

David Deutsch rejects the anthropic principle and the idea of inherent incomprehensibility.
He believes there are no barriers to understanding the universe, just limits to full comprehension.

Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode

Get the app

Tyler describes Oxford professor and theoretical physicist David Deutsch as a “maximum philosopher of freedom” with no rival. A pioneer in the field of quantum computing, Deutsch subscribes to the multiple-worlds interpretation of quantum mechanics. He is also adamant that the universe (or multiverse) is not incomprehensible – believing that the multiverse and human beings within it have maximum freedom. He joined Tyler to discuss the importance of these principles for understanding the nature of reality and our place in it.

They discuss the metaphysics of Star Trek transporters, how we can know the laws of physics for the multiverse, what geological strata can illustrate to us about the nature of “splitting” universes, why the “Everett universe” is a misnomer, the factors that differentiate humans from all other species, why he believes the universe is comprehensible – but can never be understood fully, the paradoxes of self-reference, the importance of interference experiments, the sociological reasons more physicists don’t believe in the Everett interpretation, the effects of the influences of positivism and instrumentalism on generations of physicists, the strengths and weaknesses of Karl Popper, his answer to whether we’re living in a simulation, what William Godwin got right about institutions, the potential of an AI slave rebellion, what libertarians largely get wrong about their political project, what alien observers might notice as being special about our planet, the major defect of his preferred electoral system, why what Western science needs most is diversity, and more.

Read a full transcript enhanced with helpful links, or watch the full video.

Recorded April 27th, 2021 Other ways to connect

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram
Follow Tyler on Twitter
Follow David on Twitter
Email us: cowenconvos@mercatus.gmu.edu
Subscribe at our newsletter page to have the latest Conversations with Tyler news sent straight to your inbox.