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arXiv · 0704.2630

Are We Typical?

James B. Hartle·Mark Srednicki
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Abstract

Bayesian probability theory is used to analyze the oft-made assumption that humans are typical observers in the universe. Some theoretical calculations make the {\it selection fallacy} that we are randomly chosen from a class of objects by some physical process, despite the absence of any evidence for such a process, or any observational evidence favoring our typicality. It is possible to favor theories in which we are typical by appropriately choosing their prior probabilities, but such assumptions should be made explicit to avoid confusion.

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James B. Hartle, Mark Srednicki. 2007-05-17. Are We Typical?. https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevd.75.123523

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