The Many Worries of Many Worlds: Exploring Some Implications of Everettian Quantum Mechanics

Tue 9 May 2023

Westminster College

On 9th May at 1pm Dr Emily Qureshi-Hurst will give a seminar entitled ‘The Many Worries of Many Worlds: Exploring Some Implications of Everettian Quantum Mechanics’.

A light sandwich lunch will be provided from 12:30 in the Healey Room, Westminster College, Cambridge.

Abstract

Religious engagement with Quantum Mechanics has been dominated by the Copenhagen interpretation, leaving a significant gap in the literature with regards to other interpretations. This fails to reflect the fact that philosophers and physicists alike are increasingly moving away from the Copenhagen interpretation in favour of other approaches. One such approach, Hugh Everett’s Many Worlds Interpretation, is being taken increasingly seriously. As the Many Worlds Interpretation’s credibility grows, it is imperative that metaphysicians, theologians, and philosophers of religion engage with its ideas and their implications. This paper does just that, setting out some implications of Everettian Quantum Mechanics that are particularly relevant to theism. It argues that this fascinating interpretation of Quantum Mechanics and its seemingly radical consequences must be taken seriously, and that taking these seriously means facing at least three major worries for theism pertaining to personal identity, the problem of evil, and salvation. The paper concludes by calling theologians and philosophers of religion to address these worries, in order that these matters of religious significance remain both coherent and credible if the Many Worlds Interpretation turns out to be correct.

Cost: Free