Decision Theory is a Red Herring for the Many Worlds Interpretation

TL;DR

This paper critiques the decision-theoretic derivation of the Born Rule in the Many Worlds Interpretation, advocating for a more fundamental computationalist approach instead.

Contribution

It challenges the adequacy of the decision-theoretic approach to deriving the Born Rule and proposes a shift towards a computationalist framework.

Findings

Decision-theoretic approach has unresolved loopholes.

Computationalist approach offers a more fundamental basis.

Critique of existing derivations of the Born Rule.

Abstract

There have been many attempts over the years to derive the Born Rule from the wave equation since Everett's Many Worlds Interpretation was proposed; however, none of these have been satisfactory as shown when critics pointed out loopholes and unsupported assumptions. In this paper the case is made that the currently fashionable decision-theoretic approach founded by David Deutsch and explicated by David Wallace is likewise unsatisfactory. A more fundamental computationalist approach is advocated.