David Wallace: Why Many Worlds Is the Only Consistent Interpretation
2 tim 19 min•29 maj 2025
Philosopher of physics David Wallace unpacks the Everett (Many‑Worlds) interpretation, tackling common misconceptions, probability, emergence and personal identity across multiple worlds.
0:00 Misconceptions About Physics
1:27 Simplicity in Physics
4:48 Understanding Quantum Mechanics
7:27 Mysteries of Large-Scale Physics
9:53 The Nature of Time
13:19 Boundary Conditions in Physics
15:04 Models of Physics
16:56 Canonical vs Covariant Quantization
21:10 Theories of Gravity
28:22 Everettian Quantum Mechanics
30:11 Misconceptions in Many Worlds Theory
47:52 Decision Theory in Quantum Mechanics
57:58 The Deutsch-Wallace Theorem
1:14:47 The Nature of Fundamental Physics
1:18:40 Personal Identity in Many Worlds
1:27:14 Exploring Emergence
1:33:19 Thoughts on Consciousness
1:35:09 Disagreements with David Deutsch
1:39:18 Understanding Real Patterns
1:54:02 The Relevance-Limiting Thesis
2:00:54 Advice for Young Researchers
SPONSORS:
- Huel: 15% OFF + Free Gift with code theoriesofeverything - https://huel.com/theoriesofeverything
- I personally subscribe to The Economist. TOE listeners get 35% off the annual subscription. No other podcast has this! https://economist.com/TOE
RESOURCES:
- The Emergent Multiverse (book): https://www.amazon.com/dp/0198707541
- David Wallace’s published papers: https://philpeople.org/profiles/david-wallace/publications
- Stating Structural Realism (paper): https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/20048/1/semantic.pdf
- David’s reading resources: https://sites.pitt.edu/~dmw121/resources.html
- The Quantization of Gravity (paper): https://arxiv.org/pdf/gr-qc/0004005
- Ted Jacobson discusses entropy on TOE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3mhctWlXyV8
- Curt debunks the "all possible paths" myth: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XcY3ZtgYis0
- Julian Barbour discusses time on TOE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-bImnQ9cmw
- TOE’s String Theory Iceberg: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4PdPnQuwjY
- Bryce DeWitt’s published papers: https://journals.aps.org/search/results?clauses=%5B%7B%22operator%22%3A%22AND%22%2C%22field%22%3A%22author%22%2C%22value%22%3A%22Bryce+S+DeWitt%22%7D%5D
- Carlo Rovelli discusses loop quantum gravity on TOE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hF4SAketEHY
- Avshalom Elitzur discusses spacetime on TOE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWRAaimQT1E
- Sean Carroll discusses the physics community on TOE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9AoRxtYZrZo
- Ruth Kastner discusses retrocausality on TOE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-BsHh3_vCMQ
- Simon Saunders's talk on Many Worlds: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9gM-sgmCUik
- Jacob Barandes discusses quantum mechanics on TOE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7oWip00iXbo
- Jacob Barandes discusses philosophy in physics on TOE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YaS1usLeXQM
- Join My New Substack (Personal Writings): https://curtjaimungal.substack.com
- Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4gL14b92xAErofYQA7bU4e
- Become a YouTube Member (Early Access Videos): https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdWIQh9DGG6uhJk8eyIFl1w/join
- Support me on Patreon: https://patreon.com/curtjaimungal
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- Support me on PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=XUBHNMFXUX5S4
0:00 Misconceptions About Physics
1:27 Simplicity in Physics
4:48 Understanding Quantum Mechanics
7:27 Mysteries of Large-Scale Physics
9:53 The Nature of Time
13:19 Boundary Conditions in Physics
15:04 Models of Physics
16:56 Canonical vs Covariant Quantization
21:10 Theories of Gravity
28:22 Everettian Quantum Mechanics
30:11 Misconceptions in Many Worlds Theory
47:52 Decision Theory in Quantum Mechanics
57:58 The Deutsch-Wallace Theorem
1:14:47 The Nature of Fundamental Physics
1:18:40 Personal Identity in Many Worlds
1:27:14 Exploring Emergence
1:33:19 Thoughts on Consciousness
1:35:09 Disagreements with David Deutsch
1:39:18 Understanding Real Patterns
1:54:02 The Relevance-Limiting Thesis
2:00:54 Advice for Young Researchers
SPONSORS:
- Huel: 15% OFF + Free Gift with code theoriesofeverything - https://huel.com/theoriesofeverything
- I personally subscribe to The Economist. TOE listeners get 35% off the annual subscription. No other podcast has this! https://economist.com/TOE
RESOURCES:
- The Emergent Multiverse (book): https://www.amazon.com/dp/0198707541
- David Wallace’s published papers: https://philpeople.org/profiles/david-wallace/publications
- Stating Structural Realism (paper): https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/20048/1/semantic.pdf
- David’s reading resources: https://sites.pitt.edu/~dmw121/resources.html
- The Quantization of Gravity (paper): https://arxiv.org/pdf/gr-qc/0004005
- Ted Jacobson discusses entropy on TOE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3mhctWlXyV8
- Curt debunks the "all possible paths" myth: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XcY3ZtgYis0
- Julian Barbour discusses time on TOE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-bImnQ9cmw
- TOE’s String Theory Iceberg: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4PdPnQuwjY
- Bryce DeWitt’s published papers: https://journals.aps.org/search/results?clauses=%5B%7B%22operator%22%3A%22AND%22%2C%22field%22%3A%22author%22%2C%22value%22%3A%22Bryce+S+DeWitt%22%7D%5D
- Carlo Rovelli discusses loop quantum gravity on TOE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hF4SAketEHY
- Avshalom Elitzur discusses spacetime on TOE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWRAaimQT1E
- Sean Carroll discusses the physics community on TOE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9AoRxtYZrZo
- Ruth Kastner discusses retrocausality on TOE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-BsHh3_vCMQ
- Simon Saunders's talk on Many Worlds: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9gM-sgmCUik
- Jacob Barandes discusses quantum mechanics on TOE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7oWip00iXbo
- Jacob Barandes discusses philosophy in physics on TOE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YaS1usLeXQM
- Join My New Substack (Personal Writings): https://curtjaimungal.substack.com
- Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4gL14b92xAErofYQA7bU4e
- Become a YouTube Member (Early Access Videos): https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdWIQh9DGG6uhJk8eyIFl1w/join
- Support me on Patreon: https://patreon.com/curtjaimungal
- Support me on Crypto: https://commerce.coinbase.com/checkout/de803625-87d3-4300-ab6d-85d4258834a9
- Support me on PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=XUBHNMFXUX5S4
Theories of Everything with Curt Jaimungal features long-form, technically detailed interviews with leading researchers in physics, mathematics, consciousness, and philosophy, exploring topics at the level of active research. For academics, graduate students, and anyone seeking depth beyond popular science.
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