Project description
A study of the theories of knowledge regarding dark matter and modified gravity
Modified gravity is a family of theories attempting to explain how gravity acts at very large or small scales. It is linked to dark matter in current scientific discourse. Invisible dark matter is postulated to generate the gravity needed to keep spinning galaxies intact, since their own observable matter is insufficient. Yet the existence of dark matter is inferred only by the gravitational effect it should have on visible matter. The EU-funded ANDROMEDA project will integrate knowledge from cosmology and the philosophy of science to study the epistemological foundations of competing explanations of certain cosmological observations based on theories of dark matter or of modified gravity.
Objective
ANDROMEDA is an unprecedented study regarding the philosophy and epistemology of dark matter and modified gravity. The project will synthesize existing knowledge from cosmology and philosophy of science in order to realize an innovative and original study of the epistemological foundations of the debate between theories of dark matter and theories of modified gravity as competing explanations of specific cosmological observations. The main objectives of ANDROMEDA are (a) to develop a philosophically informed historical narrative of the parallel development of dark matter theory and modified gravity as an alternative, (b) to identify the most appropriate epistemic values by which dark matter and modified gravity theories should be assessed and compared to each other, and (c) to examine the extent to which certain models of dark matter and modified gravity theory should be evaluated as mutually exclusive and competing explanations of certain phenomena. The clear elucidation of these issues will create new avenues for a constructive dialogue between the dark matter and modified gravity communities in physics and will advance the public understanding of theory choice in astrophysics, demonstrating how philosophy can (i) make useful and substantial contributions to an important on-going scientific problem, and (ii) facilitate the communication of scientific challenges to the public.
Fields of science
Programme(s)
Funding Scheme
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European FellowshipsCoordinator
10561 Athina
Greece