Re: Circularity in Everett's measurement theory

Yes, decoherence grew of of quantum optics,
but the application of decoherence to the measurement
problem was done by Bohm, Everett, deWitt, Zurek
and others.
Cheers,
Michael C Price
----------------------------------------
http://mcp.longevity-report.com
http://www.hedweb.com/manworld.htm
"Arnold Neumaier" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote in message
news:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
> michaelprice wrote:
> >
> > Arnold Neumaier:
> >
> > > But then Everett has nothing to offer beyond what is already in
> > > decoherence theory. The latter explains the measurement process
> > > without having to introduce relative states that branch every moment
> > > a measurement is made (which is a rather vague concept).
> >
> > Wrong way around.  Decoherence theories grew out of Everett's work.
> > See what Zurek has to say about the subject.
>
> The decoherence principle (except perhaps for the name) is just
> the rotationg wave approximation. It comes from quantum optics, where
> it was developped completely independent from Everett.
>
> Everett's relative states and observers are not needed at all to make
> sense of decoherence. It happens without any observer, and needs no
> branching of anything. Thus one can skip the confusing many-worlds
> part without any loss of substance.
>
> Arnold Neumaier