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Why trust a theory? : epistemology of fundamental physics / edited by Radin Dardashti, Richard Dawid and Karim Thebault. - Cambridge : Cambridge university press, 2019. - xi, 438 p. ; 24 cm.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Historical and conceptual background. Fundamental theories and epistemic shifts : can history of science serve as a guide?
Scientific speculation : a pragmatic approach
Assessing scientific theories
Philosophy of science and the string wars : a view from the outside
Theory assessment beyond empirical confirmation. The significance of non-empirical confirmation in fundamental physics
The dangers of non-empirical confirmation
No alternative to proliferation
Physics without experiments?
Scientific methodology : a view from early string theory
What can we learn from analogue experiments?
Are black holes about information?
Cosmology and testability. The limits of cosmology
The role of cosmology in modern physics
Theory confirmation and multiverses
Beyond falsifiability : normal science in a multiverse
Gaining access to the early universe
Prospects for confirmation in string theory. String theory to the rescue
Why trust a theory? Some further remarks
The dangerous irrelevance of string theory
String/M-theories about our world are testable in the traditional physics way
Is string phenomenology an oxymoron?

This collection of essays stems from the prominent workshop 'Why Trust a Theory?' and offers interdisciplinary insights into empirical testing in fundamental physics from prominent physicists, philosophers, and historians of science. By integrating diverse contemporary and historical perspectives, it will appeal to philosophers of science, physicists, and anyone with an interest in the foundations of modern science.

ISBN: 9781108470957

Subjects--Topical Terms:
Physics - Methodology.
Science - Methodology.

Dewey Class. No.: 530.01 / DAR