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Can Quantum Theory be Applied to the Universe as a Whole?

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Abstract

I argue that quantum theory can, and in fact must, be applied to the Universe as a whole. After a general introduction, I discuss two concepts that are essential for my chain of arguments: the universality of quantum theory and the emergence of classical behaviors by decoherence. A further motivation is given by the open problem of quantum gravity. I then present the main ingredients of quantum cosmology and discuss their relevance for the interpretation of quantum theory. I end with some brief epistemological remarks.

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  1. Institut für Theoretische Physik, Universität zu Köln, Zülpicher Straße 77, 50937, Cologne, Germany

    Claus Kiefer

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  1. Claus Kiefer
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Correspondence to Claus Kiefer.

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Kiefer, C. Can Quantum Theory be Applied to the Universe as a Whole?. Found Phys 40, 1410–1418 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10701-010-9441-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10701-010-9441-3

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