Uploaded February 2026 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
David Wallace, professor of philosophy at the University of Pittsburgh, explains why he finds the many-worlds interpretation of quantum mechanics convincing. We discuss probability, what it means for persons to "split", whether teleportation means death, and the role of philosophy in assessing science.
This interview is also available as a podcast: open.substack.com/pub/mileskdonahue/p/72-the-multiverse-is-real-david-wallace?r=1pf1v9&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
Check out my Substack where you can get a paid membership because you're awesome: mileskdonahue.substack.com
To support the channel, do please oh please consider donating via Buy Me a Coffee (buymeacoffee.com/mileskdonahue).
Follow me on X: twitter.com/PhilosopherMKD
EPISODE CHAPTERS
00:00:00 Introduction
01:22 What is the difference between quantum and classical mechanics?
08:12 The measurement problem
14:16 The many-worlds interpretation
19:46 Why can't I see other branches of reality?
33:13 Is many-worlds crazy and absurd?
37:57 The probability problem
50:58 Do people split in two when the universe branches?
01:00:11 Does many-worlds explain fine-tuning?
01:04:56 Should many-worlds change the way we live?
01:16:30 Of what are you most uncertain?
David Wallace, professor of philosophy at the University of Pittsburgh, explains why he finds the many-worlds interpretation of quantum mechanics convincing. We discuss probability, what it means for persons to "split", whether teleportation means death, and the role of philosophy in assessing science.
This interview is also available as a podcast: open.substack.com/pub/mileskdonahue/p/72-the-multiverse-is-real-david-wallace?r=1pf1v9&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
Check out my Substack where you can get a paid membership because you're awesome: mileskdonahue.substack.com
To support the channel, do please oh please consider donating via Buy Me a Coffee (buymeacoffee.com/mileskdonahue).
Follow me on X: twitter.com/PhilosopherMKD
EPISODE CHAPTERS
00:00:00 Introduction
01:22 What is the difference between quantum and classical mechanics?
08:12 The measurement problem
14:16 The many-worlds interpretation
19:46 Why can't I see other branches of reality?
33:13 Is many-worlds crazy and absurd?
37:57 The probability problem
50:58 Do people split in two when the universe branches?
01:00:11 Does many-worlds explain fine-tuning?
01:04:56 Should many-worlds change the way we live?
01:16:30 Of what are you most uncertain?
