The Interpretation of Quantum Cosmological Models

Abstract

We consider the problem of extracting physical predictions from the wave function of the universe in quantum cosmological models. We state the features of quantum cosmology an interpretational scheme should confront. We discuss the Everett interpretation, and extensions of it, and their application to quantum cosmology. We review the steps that are normally taken in the process of extracting predictions from solutions to the Wheeler-DeWitt equation for quantum cosmological models. Some difficulties and their possible resolution are discussed. We conclude that the usual wave function-based approach admits at best a rather heuristic interpretation, although it may in the future be justified by appeal to the decoherent histories approach.