A Model Of The Universe: Space-time, Probability, And Decision (clarendon Library Of Logic And Philosophy)

Storrs McCall presents an original philosophical theory of the nature of the universe based on a striking new model of its space-time structure and argues that the fact that the model throws light on such a large number of problems constitutes strong evidence that the universe is as the model portrays it. An ambitious, controversial, and ingenious idea for a completely new metaphysical foundation for philosophy and physics, this book discusses a broad range of topics within the framework of the new theory, and will be of special interest to physicists for its original new interpretation of quantum mechanics. Storrs Mccall Presents An Original Philosophical Theory Of The Nature Of The Universe Based On A Striking New Model Of Its Space-time Structure. He Shows That This Theory Can Illuminate A Wide Variety Of Hitherto Unresolved Philosophical Problems: These Include The Direction And Flow Of Time, The Nature Of Scientific Laws, The Interpretation Of Quantum Mechanics, The Definition Of Probability, Counterfactual Semantics, And The Notions Of Identity, Essential Properties, Deliberation, Decision, And Free Will. A Particular Instance Of The Explanatory Powers Of The Proposed Space-time Model Is Its Account Of Quantum Non-locality In The Epr And Ghz Experiments. The Fact That The Model Explains And Throws Light On Such A Broad Range Of Problems Constitutes Strong Evidence That The Universe Is As The Model Portrays It. 1. The Model -- 2. The Direction And Flow Of Time -- 3. Causation And Laws Of Nature -- 4. An Interpretation Of Quantum Mechanics -- 5. Probability -- 6. Conditionals -- 7. Individuals And Identity -- 8. Essential Properties -- 9. Decision And Free Will -- 10. Conclusion -- App. 1. The Topology Of Branched Spaces -- App. 2. Branched Four-dimensional Space-time -- App. 3. A Branched Picture Of Mermin's Epr Experiment -- App. 4. Probabilities Of Conditionals Defined As Conditional Probabilities. Storrs Mccall. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. The author presents an original philosophical theory of the nature of the universe based on a striking new model of its space-time structure. He shows that this theory can illuminate a wide variety of hitherto unresolved philosophical problems. These include: the direction and flow of time; the nature of scientific laws; the interpretation of quantum mechanics; the definition of probability; and more