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Quantum Many-Worlds Interpretation and Its Extensions to Decision Theory, Game Theory, and Economics

IHSIEN CHOU

Published Jul 10, 2026• 0 citations
Publisher

Abstract

This paper explores the quantum many-worlds interpretation (MWI) and its implications beyond fundamental physics, extending to decision theory, game theory, and economics. Starting from the foundational principles of MWI, we examine how observers interact with branching universes, analyze Newcomb’s paradox in both classical and quantum forms, and discuss applications in quantum game theory and quantum economics. By integrating quantum concepts like superposition, entanglement, and interference, we demonstrate how these ideas resolve classical paradoxes and offer novel frameworks for modeling complex systems. Mathematical formulations are presented using Unicode symbols for clarity. The many-worlds interpretation of quantum mechanics, proposed by Hugh Everett III in 1957, posits that the universe branches into multiple parallel realities during quantum measurements, avoiding the wave function collapse postulate. This framework has profound philosophical and practical implications, particularly in understanding decision-making under uncertainty. In this paper, we synthesize discussions on MWI, observer roles in branching, Newcomb’s paradox, its quantum variant, quantum game theory, and quantum economics. These topics form a coherent progression from quantum foundations to applied interdisciplinary fields, highlighting how quantum principles can reshape classical theories.

DOI
10.5281/zenodo.21287061

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This paper explores the quantum many-worlds interpretation (MWI) and its implications beyond fundamental physics, extending to decision theory, game theory, and economics. Starting from the foundational principles of MWI, we examine how observers interact with branching universes, analyze Newcomb’s paradox in both classical and quantum forms, and discuss applications in quantum game theory and quantum economics. By integrating quantum concepts like superposition, entanglement, and interference, we demonstrate how these ideas resolve classical paradoxes and offer novel frameworks for modeling complex systems. Mathematical formulations are presented using Unicode symbols for clarity. The many-worlds interpretation of quantum mechanics, proposed by Hugh Everett III in 1957, posits that the universe branches into multiple parallel realities during quantum measurements, avoiding the wave function collapse postulate. This framework has profound philosophical and practical implications, particularly in understanding decision-making under uncertainty. In this paper, we synthesize discussions on MWI, observer roles in branching, Newcomb’s paradox, its quantum variant, quantum game theory, and quantum economics. These topics form a coherent progression from quantum foundations to applied interdisciplinary fields, highlighting how quantum principles can reshape classical theories.
The Many-worlds Interpretation (MWI) of quantum mechanics has captivated physicists and philosophers alike since its inception in the mid-20th century. This paper explores the historical roots, evolution, and implications of the MWI within the context of quantum theory. Beginning with an overview of early developments in quantum mechanics and the emergence of foundational interpretations, we delve into the origins of the MWI through the groundbreaking work of physicist Hugh Everett III. Everett's doctoral thesis proposed a radical solution to the measurement problem, positing the existence of multiple branching universes to account for quantum phenomenon. We trace the evolution of the MWI, examining its refinement and elaboration by subsequent physicists such as John Wheeler. Furthermore, we discuss the MWI's impact on contemporary physics, including its connections to quantum information theory and ongoing experimental tests. By providing a comprehensive analysis of the MWI's historical development and current relevance, this paper offers insights into one of the most provocative interpretations of quantum mechanics and its implications for our understanding of the universe.
The many-worlds interpretation of quantum mechanics by Hugh Everett III Proposed in 1957, this framework argues that the universe branches into multiple parallel realities during quantum measurement, thus avoiding the wave function collapse hypothesis. This framework has profound philosophical and practical implications, particularly in understanding decision-making processes under uncertainty. While observers cannot directly select or optimize specific quantum branches , within the framework of decision theory and quantum Bayesianism , they can optimize the distribution of expected outcomes through strategic decision-making . This involves the complex interaction between probability weights and subjective experience in the many-worlds interpretation.
This paper explores the Many-Worlds Interpretation (MWI) of quantum mechanics as a conceptual framework for understanding fragmentation, uncertainty, and narrative divergence in global economic dynamics. We argue that the logic of Everettian branching –originally introduced to resolve the quantum measurement problem– offers a compelling metaphor for interpreting the proliferation of economic expectations, speculative bubbles, policy contradictions, and systemic crises in a multilateral, post-truth financial world. Situating our analysis within the emerging discourse of narrative economics and cognitive fragmentation, we draw parallels between physical decoherence and economic disconnection, highlighting how modern financial systems increasingly resemble a multiverse of incompatible but coexisting belief structures. We propose that modular tensor categories may eventually offer more refined topological frameworks for modeling such multiplicity. The paper con cludes by outlining ethical and policy implications for re-coherence and the role of observers in navigating global economic multiplicity.
The Many-Worlds Interpretation (MWI) of quantum mechanics, first proposed by Hugh Everett in 1957, posits that all possible outcomes of a quantum measurement are realized in coexisting branches of the universe. While traditionally confined to microscopic physical systems, this article proposes that the logic of MWI offers an illuminating metaphor –and potentially a modeling framework– for understanding the increasingly fragmented landscape of contemporary geopolitics. In particular, the behavior and communication strategy of political figures such as Donald J. Trump appear to resonate with an Everettian logic: the simultaneous activation of multiple, incompatible narratives, none of which collapses under scrutiny, and each sustained within separate cognitive or media ecosystems. We argue that this “Many-Worlds political style” challenges classical models of political rationality, narrative coherence, and public truth. Drawing from recent work in quantum cognition, narrative theory, and political psychology, we explore how Everett’s interpretation may offer not only a metaphorical but a structurally meaningful way to describe the emerging post-truth political order. The article concludes with a discussion of how such cross-disciplinary frameworks may contribute to both political theory and foundational questions in quantum epistemology.
abstract: This thesis attempts to explain Everettian quantum mechanics from the ground up, such that those with little to no experience in quantum physics can understand it. First, we introduce the history of quantum theory, and some concepts that make up the framework of quantum physics. Through these concepts, we reveal why interpretations are necessary to map the quantum world onto our classical world. We then introduce the Copenhagen interpretation, and how many-worlds differs from it. From there, we dive into the concepts of entanglement and decoherence, explaining how worlds branch in an Everettian universe, and how an Everettian universe can appear as our classical observed world. From there, we attempt to answer common questions about many-worlds and discuss whether there are philosophical ramifications to believing such a theory. Finally, we look at whether the many-worlds interpretation can be proven, and why one might choose to believe it. (abstract)
This thesis takes a look at the many-worlds interpretation (MWI) and discusses if it can become the leading interpretation of quantum mechanics. Firstly the Copenhagen interpretation is outlined and its issues relating to the measurement problem are discussed while taking recent insights in decoherence theory into account. Establishing that wave-function collapse still yields interpretational issues, I discuss the ideas of Hugh Everett, who proposed the many-worlds interpretation, and David Wallace who is a prominent advocate of the MWI. In particular I discuss and review Wallace's arguments in favor of viewing the wave-function and the many worlds realistically. The next part shortly focuses on the testability of the many-worlds interpretation and the philosophical and theoretical issues relating to probability in the MWI. I end by concluding that the no-collapse interpretations are preferable to the Copenhagen interpretation, and I argue in favor of a realistic view towards all of the worlds. Furthermore, I conclude that standard textbooks on quantum mechanics should be updated to introduce students to the insight that wave-function collapse isn't needed in forming a complete theory of quantum mechanics.