The epistemology of dark matter and modified gravity

Contribution List

6. A Bayesian Approach To The Copernican Principle

In my essay, I argue that the Copernican Principle (CopP)—the claim that we do not occupy a privileged position in the universe—cannot be justified via Bayesian probabilities. When combined with observed spatial isotropy, CopP provides a deductive argument for establishing the homogeneity of the universe and, consequently, the Cosmological Principle. Thus, a well-founded justification for...

3. Circularity in Dark Matter Detection Experiments

Dark matter detection experiments face persistent challenges in interpretation and cross-comparison of results. This paper presents an in‐depth investigation into the multifaceted use of models within dark matter detection, proposing a comprehensive taxonomy that distinguishes among background theory, theoretical models, phenomenological models, experimental models, and data models. It will be...

7. Evidence in Cosmology: How Galaxies Became Complicated

It is a widely accepted view in the philosophy of science that what counts as evidence for a theory depends on the theory itself. However, the question of how a theory selects its evidential base remains largely underexplored. This paper addresses this gap by analyzing a case study in cosmology: the evolving role of galaxies as evidence for cosmological models, particularly those involving...

4. Rethinking Evidence for Dark Matter: Robust Sources, Gravitational Theory and Physical Principles

It is difficult to question that the historical development of the dark matter problem challenges traditional philosophical accounts of hypothesis confirmation, refutation, and ad-hocness. To put simply, it is both too simplistic and unconvincing to describe the situation as a series of continuous refutations of the dark matter hypothesis, aimed at resolving the discrepancy between...

5. The black hole singularity, Hawking evaporation, and dark matter

Three questions have troubled theoretical physics in the last century. What is the nature of the black hole singularity? What happens at the end of the evaporation process of a black hole? And what is dark matter? Remarkably, all three questions can be connected by a surprisingly simple hypothesis: dark matter consists of the remnants of a very special kind of black hole – a black hole without...