Research
The Logic of Experimental Tests, Particularly of Everettian Quantum Theory
Author:
David Deutsch
Journal:
Studies in History and Philosophy of Science Part B: Studies in History and Philosophy of Modern Physics
Date:
9 Jul 2016
Affiliations:
Oxford
Abstract
Claims that the standard procedure for testing scientific theories is inapplicable to Everettian quantum theory, and hence that the theory is untestable, are due to misconceptions about probability and about the logic of experimental testing. Refuting those claims by correcting those misconceptions leads to an improved theory of scientific methodology (based on Popper׳s) and testing, which allows various simplifications, notably the elimination of everything probabilistic from the methodology (‘Bayesian’ credences) and from fundamental physics (stochastic processes).