Can free will emerge from determinism in quantum theory?

TL;DR

This paper argues that quantum mechanics may be deterministic and local, proposing a new theory of parallel lives, and explores whether free will can emerge from such a deterministic framework.

Contribution

It introduces a novel deterministic, local, and realistic interpretation of quantum mechanics through the theory of parallel lives, challenging conventional views on quantum indeterminism.

Findings

Quantum mechanics can be interpreted as deterministic and local.

The wavefunction collapse is an illusion under this interpretation.

Free will may emerge from a deterministic quantum framework.

Abstract

Quantum Mechanics is generally considered to be the ultimate theory capable of explaining the emergence of randomness by virtue of the quantum measurement process. Therefore, Quantum Mechanics can be thought of as God's wonderfully imaginative solution to the problem of providing His creatures with Free Will in an otherwise well-ordered Universe. Indeed, how could we dream of free will in the purely deterministic Universe envisioned by Laplace if everything ever to happen is predetermined by (and in principle calculable from) the actual conditions or even those existing at the time of the Big Bang? In this essay, we share our view that Quantum Mechanics is in fact deterministic, local and realistic, in complete contradiction with most people's perception of Bell's theorem, thanks to our new theory of parallel lives. Accordingly, what we perceive as the so-called "collapse of the wavefunction" is but an illusion. Then we ask the fundamental question: Can a purely deterministic Quantum Theory give rise to the illusion of nondeterminism, randomness, probabilities, and ultimately can free will emerge from such a theory?