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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. [Preprint]

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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.


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Item Type: Preprint
Creators:
CreatorsEmailORCID
Lyre, Holger
Eynck, Tim Oliver
Keywords: general relativity, gauge theory, theory underdetermination, ontological indeterminacy
Subjects: Specific Sciences > Physics
Specific Sciences > Physics > Relativity Theory
General Issues > Structure of Theories
Depositing User: Holger Lyre
Date Deposited: 14 Dec 2001
Last Modified: 07 Oct 2010 15:10
Item ID: 514
Subjects: Specific Sciences > Physics
Specific Sciences > Physics > Relativity Theory
General Issues > Structure of Theories
Date: December 2001
URI: https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/514

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