Antoniou, Antonis and Fay, Jonathan (2025) Whence the desire to close the Universe? [Preprint]

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Abstract

The spatial geometry of the universe is widely accepted as flat, based on precision cosmological measurements obtained in the 2000s. In the absence of definitive empirical evidence prior to this period, the geometry of the universe during the 1970s and 1980s was essentially unknown. Yet, one finds within the relevant literature claims suggesting a strong preference for a universe which is "just closed", based on philosophical and other "non-experimental" reasons. The main aim of this article is to identify these reasons and assess the extent to which philosophical reasoning influenced the early interpretation of cosmological density estimates and the development of the dark matter hypothesis. Building on groundwork laid by de Swart (2020), this article expands the historical narrative by: (a) arguing that consensus on the geometry of the universe during that era was more fragmented than historically portrayed, (b) providing an in-depth analysis of Wheeler's motivation for a closed universe based on his relativity notebooks, (c) uncovering and tracing the history of a lesser-known Machian argument for flat geometry by Dennis Sciama, and (d) analysing the fine-tuning arguments arising from Robert Dicke’s "coincidence problem". Ultimately, the study provides a nuanced perspective on how philosophical considerations continued to steer cosmological inquiries even at a period when the discipline was consolidating its identity as a precision empirical science.

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Item Type:	Preprint
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID Antoniou, Antonis antantoniou@phs.uoa.gr 0000-0001-8494-9915 Fay, Jonathan jonathan.fay@bristol.ac.uk 0009-0007-2760-9958
Keywords:	cosmic geometry, Mach's principle, fine-tuning, cosmology, dark matter, fine tuning
Subjects:	Specific Sciences > Physics > Astrophysics Specific Sciences > Physics > Cosmology General Issues > Evidence General Issues > History of Science Case Studies General Issues > Theory/Observation
Depositing User:	Dr. Antonis Antoniou
Date Deposited:	02 Mar 2026 01:35
Last Modified:	02 Mar 2026 01:35
Item ID:	28392
Subjects:	Specific Sciences > Physics > Astrophysics Specific Sciences > Physics > Cosmology General Issues > Evidence General Issues > History of Science Case Studies General Issues > Theory/Observation
Date:	2025
URI:	https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/28392

Available Versions of this Item

• Whence the desire to close the Universe? (deposited 04 Feb 2025 15:43)
  • Whence the desire to close the Universe? (deposited 02 Mar 2026 01:35) [Currently Displayed]

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