David Deutsch on Physics Without Probability
Why Hacker News recommends it
Cited in threads on probability and quantum theory as a strong argument that probabilities can be eliminated from physics.
What it is
A 2015 talk by David Deutsch with slides and audio about constructor theory and how physics, in particular the many-worlds interpretation, can be framed without probability.
Recommended by 2 HN commenters across 2 different months, 2020 to 2023.
What Hacker News said
Strong rec ThomPete · 2022-10 · on “Probability (1963)”
Any theory that is explainable and hard to vary does not need probability. Can you explain how probability is used in statistical mechanics in a way to contradict what I am saying? P.S. Thanks for being a sport and talk about this in a truly respectful way. If you want to understand where I am coming from, I can really recommend David Deutsch talk about probability here [this video] It was a big awakening for me once I realized not only where probability theory came from (not physics) and how engrained it is in our thinking.
Recommends andrewgleave · 2023-05 · on “The World is Built on Probability [1988/2023]”
David Deutsch’s “Physics Without Probability” covers the history of probability, it’s legitimate and misconceived uses and concludes that according to MWI there is no such thing in reality - it’s basically that probabilities correspond to how measures of the multiverse proportion themselves as differentiation occurs. I watched it a few years ago so may be misremembering bits but I think that is the gist… Worth a watch especially if you balk at this idea just to to see a strong counter argument. [this video] Edit: link
Cites scribu · 2020-08 · on “Algorithmic Theories of Everything (2000)”
IMHO, a better title would be " Probabilistic Theories Of Everything" Contrast with the recent work from David Deutsch, which eliminates all probabilities from physics. Intro to Constructor Theory: [this video]