Antoniou, Antonis and Fay, Jonathan (2025) Whence the desire to close the Universe? [Preprint]
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Abstract
The geometry of the universe is today widely believed to be flat based on combined data obtained during the 2000s. Prior to this, the geometry of the universe was essentially unknown. However, within the relevant literature one finds claims indicating a strong preference for a (nearly) closed universe, based on philosophical and other "non-xperimental" reasons. The main aim of this article is to identify these reasons and assess the extent to which philosophical reasoning influenced the establishment of the dark matter hypothesis and the development of models for a closed universe. Building on groundwork laid by de Swart (2020), this study expands the discussion by (a) arguing that opinions on the geometry of the universe during the 1970s and 1980s were more divided than often assumed, (b) uncovering a lesser-known Machian argument for flat geometry proposed by Dennis Sciama, and (c) presenting a fine-tuning argument stemming from the 'coincidence problem' articulated by Robert Dicke. The study provides a nuanced perspective on how philosophical considerations contributed to shaping early views on cosmology and dark matter and highlights the significant role philosophical reasoning can play in guiding scientific inquiry in physics.
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| Item Type: | Preprint | |||||||||
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| Keywords: | geometry, universe, Mach's principle, fine-tuning, cosmology, dark matter | |||||||||
| Subjects: | Specific Sciences > Physics > Astrophysics Specific Sciences > Physics > Cosmology General Issues > Evidence General Issues > History of Science Case Studies General Issues > Theory/Observation |
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| Depositing User: | Dr. Antonis Antoniou | |||||||||
| Date Deposited: | 04 Feb 2025 15:43 | |||||||||
| Last Modified: | 04 Feb 2025 15:43 | |||||||||
| Item ID: | 24677 | |||||||||
| Subjects: | Specific Sciences > Physics > Astrophysics Specific Sciences > Physics > Cosmology General Issues > Evidence General Issues > History of Science Case Studies General Issues > Theory/Observation |
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| Date: | 2025 | |||||||||
| URI: | https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/24677 |
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