Quantum Multiverses
James B. Hartle (UCSB, Santa Fe Institute)

TL;DR
This paper develops a quantum theory of the universe predicting multiverses as a natural consequence, explaining their formation, properties, and implications for observable universe predictions, emphasizing their scientific testability.
Contribution
It introduces a comprehensive quantum framework for multiverses, showing they arise from the theory itself and analyzing their properties across different models.
Findings
Quantum multiverses emerge from decoherent histories in quantum cosmology.
Multiverses are a generic feature of simple quantum theories of the universe.
The paper demonstrates the scientific testability of quantum multiverses.
Abstract
A quantum theory of the universe consists of a theory of its quantum dynamics and a theory of its quantum state The theory predicts quantum multiverses in the form of decoherent sets of alternative histories describing the evolution of the universe's spacetime geometry and matter content. These consequences follow: (a) The universe generally exhibits different quantum multiverses at different levels and kinds of coarse graining. (b) Quantum multiverses are not a choice or an assumption but are consequences of the theory or not. (c) Quantum multiverses are generic for simple theories (d) Anthropic selection is automatic because observers are physical systems within the universe not somehow outside it. (e) Quantum multiverses can provide different mechanisms for the variation constants in effective theories (like the cosmological constant) enabling anthropic selection. (f) Different…
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Taxonomy
TopicsCosmology and Gravitation Theories · Earth Systems and Cosmic Evolution · Space Science and Extraterrestrial Life
