Fischer, Enno
(2025)
The Pursuitworthienss of Experiments.
[Preprint]
Abstract
Scientists decide to perform an experiment based on the expectation that their efforts will bear fruit. While assessing such expectations belongs to the everyday work of prac-ticing scientists, we have a limited understanding of the epistemological principles un-derlying such assessments. Here I argue that we should delineate a “context of pursuit” for experiments. The rational pursuit of experiments, like the pursuit of theories, is gov-erned by distinct epistemic and pragmatic considerations that concern epistemic gain, likelihood of success, and feasibility. A key question that arises is: what exactly is being evaluated when we assess experimental pursuits? I argue that, beyond the research questions an experiment aims to address, we must also assess the concrete experi-mental facilities and activities involved, because (1) there are often multiple ways to address a research question, (2) pursuitworthy experiments typically address a combi-nation of research questions, and (3) experimental pursuitworthiness can be boosted by past experimental successes. My claims are supported by a look into ongoing de-bates about future particle colliders.
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The Pursuitworthienss of Experiments. (deposited 28 Jun 2025 15:17)
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