Part 7/12:
The debate extends into many-worlds interpretations versus hidden variables. The many-worlds theory, which posits a branching universe for every quantum outcome, is viewed skeptically. The speaker argues that many-worlds merely extrapolate the same probabilistic framework to multiple realities—not a true deterministic solution. They emphasize that, regardless of interpretation, the predictions in quantum mechanics are inherently statistical, and that a deterministic underpinning would require variables and laws currently beyond our understanding.
The Distinction Between Ontic and Epistemic Perspectives on the Wave Function
A crucial philosophical distinction is made between ontic and epistemic interpretations of the wave function: