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LTT: A. Koberinski
November 1, 2022 @ 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm EDT
Title: Philosophy of the Cosmological Constant
Abstract: The (re)introduction of lambda into cosmology has spurred debates that touch on central questions in philosophy of science, as well as the foundations of general relativity and particle physics. We provide a systematic assessment of the often implicit philosophical assumptions guiding the methodology of precision cosmology in relation to dark energy. We start by briefly introducing a recent account of scientific progress in terms of risky and constrained lines of inquiry. This allows us to contrast aspects of lambda that make it relevantly different from other theoretical entities in science, such as its remoteness from direct observation or manipulability. We lay out a classification for possible ways to explain dark energy phenomenology, but conclude that these conceptually clear distinctions may blur heavily in practice. Finally, we consider the important role played in cosmology by critical tests of background assumptions, approximation techniques, and core principles, and argue that the weak anthropic principle fits into this category. We argue that some core typicality assumptions—like the Copernican principle and the cosmological principle—are necessary though not provable, while others—like the strong anthropic principle and appeals to probability in the multiverse—are not similarly justifiable.
This talk will also be available live streamed on You Tube at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrRp47ZMXD7NXO3a9Gyh2sg.
Details
- Date:
- November 1, 2022
- Time:
-
12:00 pm - 1:30 pm EDT
- Event Category:
- Lunchtime Talks 2022-23
Venue
- 1117 Cathedral of Learning
-
4200 Fifth Ave
Pittsburgh, PA 15260 United States