The dizzying free fall of Quantum Bayesianism
Seeing | Quantum Mechanics | 2023-06-25
Hans Busstra, MA
Prof. Christopher Fuchs, PhD
In conversation with Prof. Christopher A. Fuchs, Essentia Foundation’s Hans Busstra explores QBism: an interpretation of quantum mechanics that puts the agent right at the centre. QBism regards quantum theory as just a ‘tool’ agents use and disclaims ontic interpretations of Schrödinger’s wave function: the quantum state is not something ‘real,’ but instead just our description of, or even our beliefs about, nature. Once known as Quantum Bayesianism, Fuchs has redefined QBism more radically as: ‘Quantum Bettabilitarianism.’ As agents, we make ‘bets’ on the behavior of the universe in its interactions with us. Though QBism does not equal analytical idealism, in this conversation we touch upon a striking similarity: namely, that pure experience (i.e. phenomenal consciousness) is what quantum theory points to as fundamental in nature. And this, in turn, has implications for how we look upon the meaning of life. In Fuchs’ words: quantum theory gives meaning to life. If you prefer to watch this video directly on YouTube, you can do so by clicking here.
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