String theory multiuniverses, and so on...?

Question

In string theory (too broad of a generalization, I know) there is the suggestion that there are separate universes for each possible outcome of a decision. Here's the thing, it takes a conscious thought process to make a decision to create the multiple choices. EVERYTHING else is a function of physics. EVERYTHING.

Therefore, if one could measure the number of universes somehow, one could determine the first instance of a conscious (sentient or no?) decision. Also, by definition of the concept, the initiation of our universe must have been the result of a decision.

Am I way off track? Why?

Where do I go to research this sort of thing?

Thanks in advance.

Answer 1

You are way off-track.

It is not String Theory that suggests something like this, but the Many-Worlds Interpretation of Quantum Mechanics.

Many-Worlds posits that alternate universes split off every time a wave function collapses, not every time a conscious decision is made. Such universes are completely inaccessible from our own, are impossible to observe, even in principle, and exist only in the metaphysically demented imaginations of Many-Worlds Interpreters. It is a very cumbersome attempt to interpret the meaning of the collapse of the wave function which very few physicists accept.

There is nothing in physics called "consciousness" or "conscious thought process" or "decision."

Answer 2

"conscious thought process to make a decision"

Well it could be argued that all 'thought processes' are simple chemical reactions (at the molecular level) therefore our Universe is in fact the result of simply chemistry and physics....

Your assumptions also rely on there being a start and an end to the universe - which is a paradox in a way - what was before the 'start' - if there was a decision that initiated the univirse - what came before!

http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/Simey...

OUCH my head hurts!

Answer 3

Way off track, yes.  Due to your use of the word "decision".  It's more like there are separate universes for each possible state of a particle.  And when you said  everything 'else' is a function of physics.  Conscious thought is a function of physics also.  There are people who say different, but they are not the physicists theorizing about strings.

I would recommend a book by Brian Greene.  The Elegant Universe.