Why Trust a Theory?

Epistemology of Fundamental Physics
Erscheinungsjahr 2019
ISBN: 978-1-108-47095-7
Verlag: Cambridge University Press

Buch, Englisch, 446 Seiten, Format (B × H): 178 mm x 254 mm, Gewicht: 1043 g

Do we need to reconsider scientific methodology in light of modern physics? Has the traditional scientific method become outdated, does it need to be defended against dangerous incursions, or has it always been different from what the canonical view suggests? To what extent should we accept non-empirical strategies for scientific theory assessment? Many core aspects of contemporary fundamental physics are far from empirically well-confirmed. There is controversy on the epistemic status of the corresponding theories, in particular cosmic inflation, the multiverse, and string theory. This collection of essays is based on the high profile workshop 'Why Trust a Theory?' and provides interdisciplinary perspectives on empirical testing in fundamental physics from leading physicists, philosophers and historians of science. Integrating different contemporary and historical positions, it will be of interest to philosophers of science and physicists, as well as anyone interested in the foundations of contemporary science.

Autoren/Hrsg.

Dardashti, Radin

Dawid, Richard

Thébault, Karim

Fachgebiete

• Naturwissenschaften Physik Quantenphysik Hochenergiephysik
• Naturwissenschaften Physik Physik Allgemein Theoretische Physik, Mathematische Physik, Computerphysik
• Geisteswissenschaften Philosophie Wissenschaftstheorie, Wissenschaftsphilosophie
• Interdisziplinäres Wissenschaften Wissenschaften: Allgemeines Geschichte der Naturwissenschaften, Formalen Wissenschaften & Technik
• Naturwissenschaften Physik Quantenphysik Teilchenphysik
• Geisteswissenschaften Geschichtswissenschaft Geschichtliche Themen Wissenschafts- und Universitätsgeschichte
• Naturwissenschaften Physik Quantenphysik Relativität, Gravitation

Inhaltsverzeichnis

1. Introduction Radin Dardashti, Richard Dawid and Karim Thébault; 2. Fundamental theories and epistemic shifts: can history of science serve as a guide? Helge Kragh; 3. Scientific speculation – a pragmatic approach Peter Achinstein; 4. Assessing scientific theories Radin Dardashti and Stephan Hartmann; 5. Philosophy of science and the string wars: a view from the outside Massimo Pigliucci; 6. The significance of non-empirical confirmation in fundamental physics Richard Dawid; 7. The dangers of non-empirical confirmation Carlo Rovelli; 8. No alternative to proliferation Daniele Oriti; 9. Physics without experiments? Radin Dardashti; 10. Scientific methodology: a view from early string theory Elena Castellani; 11. What can we learn from analogue experiments? Karim Thébault; 12. Are black holes about information? Christian Wuthrich; 13. The limits of cosmology Joseph Silk; 14. The role of cosmology in modern physics Bjorn Malte Schafer; 15. Theory confirmation and multiverses George Ellis; 16. Beyond falsifiability: normal science in a multiverse Sean Carroll; 17. Gaining access to the early universe Chris Smeenk; 18. String theory to the rescue Joseph Polchinski; 19. Why trust a theory? Some further remarks Joseph Polchinski; 20. The dangerous irrelevance of string theory Eva Silverstein; 21. String/M-theories about our world are testable in the traditional physics way Gordon Kane; 22. Is string phenomenology an oxymoron? Fernando Quevedo.

Über Autor(innen)

Dawid, Richard
Richard Dawid is Professor of Philosophy of Science at Stockholm University. His research focuses on epistemic issues in contemporary, fundamental physics. He is the author of String Theory and the Scientific Method (Cambridge, 2013).

Dardashti, Radin
Radin Dardashti is Junior Professor in Philosophy of Physics at the University of Wuppertal. His research focuses on the various methods used in theory development and assessment in modern physics.

Thébault, Karim
Karim Thébault is Senior Lecturer in Philosophy of Science at the University of Bristol. His research interests are principally within the Philosophy of Physics, with an emphasis on classical and quantum theories of gravity.