Schrodinger's Cat in a Multiverse:
   What is scientifically plausible?
   and theologically satisfactory?
 
some history:  Originally in mid-January 2023, this was intended to be a resource-page (with URL at end of abstract) to provide “extra info” for people who either would attend the talk, or wouldn't but were interested in the topic.  Then on March 9, I withdrew my submission after deciding that doing things in my new home city (Columbus OH) would be a wiser use of my time.  Instead of doing this — preparing for the talk, preparing for the trip, doing the trip-and-meeting — I should stay home, doing projects (education for problem solving & music improvising) and connecting with more people, more deeply.   /   contact: Craig Rusbult <craigru57@yahoo.com>   /   bio: my life on a road less traveled
 

Here are four relevant resources – in two web-pages, a long page-section, and the abstract:

• Regarding “collapse” of the quantum wave-function (e.g. with Schrodinger's Equation & Cat), Interpretations of Quantum Observation shows why quantum physics does not involve consciousness in everyday situations (as claimed by proponents of Mystical Physics that isn't scientific Quantum Physics) or in sophisticated lab experiments.    {plus other pages about quantum physics & philosophy}

• An overview of how a Multiverse could “beat the odds” for intelligent design of our Universe — Fine Tuning in a Multiverse: Science & Theology — is Part 5B in my FAQ about Creation, Evolution, and Intelligent Design.

• A new page (begun in early March) about the Many Worlds Interpretation of Quantum Mechanics, MWI.

 

ABSTRACT  (submitted 1-15-2023)
 
Schrodinger's Cat in a Multiverse:
   What is scientifically plausible?
   and theologically satisfactory?
 
   We should aim for appropriate humility (not too little, not too much) when making claims about quantum physics & multiverse theories, and Christian worldviews.  Although quantum physics has strong empirical support and is accepted by scientists, a famous thought-experiment (Schrodinger's Cat) leads to diverse interpretations when asking “does the wave function collapse?” (in empirically equivalent views, Copenhagen says yes, Many Worlds no) and if yes, “what causes collapse?” with most scientists thinking “physical interactions,” rejecting New Age speculations that “human consciousness creates quantum realities.”
   Theistic claims for divine Intelligent Design of a fine-tuned world — producing sunshine, water, biochemistry, and other features of nature that allow intelligent life — seem less persuasive if we live in an inflationary multiverse with an immense number of universes, with the wide variety of universe-types (in basic laws, numerical constants, initial conditions) proposed in a string theory landscape.  Scientifically, three explanations (proposing a designed Universe, designed Multiverse, or undesigned Multiverse, but not undesigned Universe) seem reasonably plausible.  The Weak Anthropic Principle just describes a selection effect on the kinds of universes that can be observed;  it's a non-explanation, but it can affect our evaluations of theories (e.g. by increasing plausibility for a natural origin of life) about anthro-necessary phenomena.  Theologically, most multiverses where “many things happen” are satisfactory (with divine sovereignty plus a here-and-now principle), but a materialistic-MWI “multiverse” raises challenging theological questions (about personal identity & accountability).   {more: EducationForProblemSolving.net/qpm}