Local Quantum Mechanics Everett, Many Worlds, and Reality

Local Quantum Mechanics explores the idea that, if one adopts the many worlds interpretation, then one can avoid what Einstein called “spooky action at a distance,” the non-locality that is supposed to be a consequence of quantum entanglement according to other approaches. The essays in this volume aim first to articulate a clear and defensible formulation of the argument from locality for preferring the many worlds interpretation of quantum mechanics over its rivals, and then evaluate it.

In this volume, editor Alyssa Ney brings together contributors from both philosophy and physics to question in what sense those in quantum foundations should care about locality. In particular, Local Quantum Mechanics explores whether and how an interpretation of quantum mechanics should avoid action at a distance to maintain consistency with special relativity. Finally, these essays assess whether the many worlds interpretation needs a particular metaphysical or mathematical interpretation to achieve the aim of providing a local interpretation of quantum mechanics.

Alyssa Ney is Professor and Chair of Metaphysics in the Faculty of Philosophy, Philosophy of Science, and Religious Studies at Ludwig-Maximilians University Munich. She is the author of The Fundamentality of Physics, The World in the Wave Function, and Metaphysics: An Introduction, as well as numerous articles in metaphysics and philosophy of physics. She holds degrees in both physics and philosophy and is past-president of the Society for the Metaphysics of Science.