Wolf, William J. and Thebault, Karim P Y (2022) Explanatory Depth in Primordial Cosmology: A Comparative Study of Inflationary and Bouncing Paradigms. [Preprint]
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Abstract
We develop and apply a multi-dimensional conception of explanatory depth towards a comparative analysis of inflationary and bouncing paradigms in primordial cosmology. Our analysis builds on earlier work due to Azhar and Loeb (2021) that establishes initial condition fine-tuning as a dimension of explanatory depth relevant to debates in contemporary cosmology. We propose dynamical fine-tuning and autonomy as two further dimensions of depth in the context of problems with instability and trans-Planckian modes that afflict bouncing and inflationary approaches respectively. In the context of the latter issue, we argue that the recently formulated trans-Planckian censorship conjecture leads to a trade-off for inflationary models between dynamical fine-tuning and autonomy. We conclude with the suggestion that explanatory preference with regard to the different dimensions of depth is best understood in terms of differing attitudes towards heuristics for future model building.
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| Item Type: | Preprint | |||||||||
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| Additional Information: | Final BJPS published version. | |||||||||
| Keywords: | Cosmology, Explanation, Fine-tuning, Inflation, Bouncing Cosmology, Hot Big Bang Model | |||||||||
| Subjects: | Specific Sciences > Physics > Cosmology General Issues > Explanation General Issues > Philosophers of Science Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Gravity Specific Sciences > Physics > Relativity Theory |
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| Depositing User: | Mr. William Wolf | |||||||||
| Date Deposited: | 29 May 2026 12:42 | |||||||||
| Last Modified: | 29 May 2026 12:42 | |||||||||
| Item ID: | 29813 | |||||||||
| Subjects: | Specific Sciences > Physics > Cosmology General Issues > Explanation General Issues > Philosophers of Science Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Gravity Specific Sciences > Physics > Relativity Theory |
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| Date: | 24 October 2022 | |||||||||
| URI: | https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/29813 |
Available Versions of this Item
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Explanatory Depth in Primordial Cosmology: A Comparative Study of Inflationary and Bouncing Paradigms. (deposited 24 Oct 2022 17:05)
- Explanatory Depth in Primordial Cosmology: A Comparative Study of Inflationary and Bouncing Paradigms. (deposited 29 May 2026 12:42) [Currently Displayed]
- Explanatory Depth in Primordial Cosmology: A Comparative Study of Inflationary and Bouncing Paradigms. (deposited 04 Apr 2023 18:35)
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