Curve It, Gauge It, or Leave It? Practical Underdetermination in Gravitational Theories

Lyre, Holger and Eynck, Tim Oliver (2001) Curve It, Gauge It, or Leave It? Practical Underdetermination in Gravitational Theories.

Abstract

Four empirically equivalent versions of general relativity,
namely standard GR, Lorentz-invariant gravitational theory,
and the gravitational gauge theories of the Lorentz and
translation groups, are investigated in the form of
a case study for theory underdetermination.
The various ontological indeterminacies
(both underdetermination and inscrutability of reference)
inherent in gravitational theories are analyzed
in a detailed comparative study.
The concept of practical underdetermination is proposed, followed
by a discussion of its adequacy to describe scientific progress.