Cosmology and theoretical pluralism
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1590/S1678-31662004000400004Keywords:
Cosmology, Boltzmann, Epistemology, Theoretical pluralism, Dogmatism, Philosophy of scienceAbstract
This work discusses the presence of a dogmatic tendency in the main stream of modern cosmology. By means of a detailed reading of some texts which represent researchers in this area, we conclude that a dogmatic thinking does seem to exist in this particular area of research. We also discuss how badly this kind of thinking affects the development of modern cosmology, as well as a possible way of neutralizing its influence. The proposed solution lies in the philosophical thinking of the Austrian physicist Ludwig Boltzmann (1844-1906). In particular, we use his two main epistemological theses, theoretical pluralism and scientific theories as representation of nature, to show that once these theses are absorved into the scientific practice, there is no longer any reason for dogmatic attitudes.Downloads
References
Boltzmann, L. Über die Unentbehrlichkeit der Atomistik in der Naturwissenschaft. In: Boltzmann, L. Populäre Schrifte. Leipzig, J. A. Barth, 1905 [1896]. p. 141-57.
Coleman, P. H. & Pietronero, L. The fractal structure of the Universe. Physics Reports, 213, p. 311-89, 1992.
Dingle, H. Science and modern cosmology. Science, 120, p. 513-21, oct. 1954.
Ellis, G.; Lanza, A. & Miller, J. C. (Ed.). The renaissance of general relativity and cosmology (A survey to celebrate the 65th birthday of Dennis Sciama). Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 1993.
Krasinski, A. Inhomogeneous cosmological models. Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 1997.
MacCallum, M. A. H. Strengths and weakness of cosmological big bang theory. In: Stoeger, W. R. (Ed.). Theory and observational limits in cosmology (Proceedings of the Vatican Observatory Conference). Vaticano, Specola Vaticana, 1987. p. 121-41.
MacCallum, M. A. H. Anisotropic and inhomogeneous cosmologies. In: Ellis, G.; Lanza, A. & Miller, J. C. (Ed.). The renaissance of general relativity and cosmology (A survey to celebrate the 65th birthday of Dennis Sciama). Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 1993. p. 213-33.
North, J. D. The measure of the Universe. A history of modern cosmology. Oxford, Clarendon Press, 1965.
Rothman, T. & Ellis, G. F. R. Has cosmology become metaphysical? Astronomy, 15, 2, p. 6-22, 1987.
Sciama, D.W. Modern cosmology and the dark matter problem. Cambridge, Cambridge Universiy Press, 1993.
Stoeger, W. R. (Ed.). Theory and observational limits in cosmology (Proceedings of the Vatican Observatory Conference). Vaticano, Specola Vaticana, 1987.
Tolman, R.C. Effect of inhomogeneity on cosmological models. Proceedings of the National Academy of Science, Washington, 20, p. 169-76, 1934.
Vaucouleurs, G. de. The case for a hierarchical cosmology. Science, 167, p. 1203-13, 1970.
Videira, A. A. P. Atomisme epistémologique et pluralisme théorique dans la pensée de Boltzmann. Paris, 1992. Tese (Doutorado em História da Ciência). Universidade de Paris 7 – Denis Diderot.
Videira, A. A. P. Boltzmann: um físico-filósofo. Ciência Hoje, 96, p. 44-9, dez. 1993.
Videira, A. A. P. O atomismo epistemológico de Boltzmann. Cadernos de História e Filosofia das Ciências, 7, 1, p. 48-91, 1997.
Videira, A. L. L. & Videira, A. A. P. Boltzmann and the Luebeck meeting of 1895: atomism, energetism and physical theory. In: Videira, A. A. P. & Salinas, S. (Org.). A cultura da física: contribuições em homenagem a Amélia Império Hamburger. São Paulo, Editora Livraria da Física, 2001. p. 163-73.
Wesson, P. S. Problems with the way in which cosmology is done. In: Stoeger, W. R. (Ed.). Theory and observational limits in cosmology (Proceedings of the Vatican Observatory Conference). Vaticano, Specola Vaticana, 1987. p. 559-63.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2004 Scientiae Studia
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
A revista detém os direitos autorais de todos os textos nela publicados. Os autores estão autorizados a republicar seus textos mediante menção da publicação anterior na revista. A revista adota a Licença Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.
