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Epistemic Justification and Methodological Luck in Inflationary Cosmology
1School of Philosophy, Psychology, and Language Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
The British Journal for the Philosophy of Science
|November 20, 2019
Summary
Solving explanatory problems in cosmology, like with inflationary theory, reliably advances science. This approach provides epistemic justification for theories even before new predictions are confirmed.
Area of Science:
- Cosmology
- Philosophy of Science
Background:
- The historical development of inflationary cosmology.
- The role of explanatory problems in scientific theory development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To argue that solving explanatory problems is a reliable method for scientific progress.
- To demonstrate the epistemic justification of inflationary theory based on its problem-solving success.
Main Methods:
- Historical case study analysis of inflationary cosmology.
- Philosophical argumentation on scientific justification.
Main Results:
- Inflationary theory's success in solving its predecessor's explanatory problems provided epistemic justification.
- Epistemic justification was achieved prior to the confirmation of novel predictions.
Conclusions:
- Solving explanatory problems is a key driver of scientific progress.
- The case of inflationary cosmology supports an explanationist view of scientific justification.
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