Talk: Siska de Baerdemaeker (Stockholm)

Title:

MOND and MEA

Abstract:

While Lambda-CDM has emerged as the standard model of cosmology, a small group of physicists defends MOND (Modified Newtonian Gravity) as an alternative view on cosmology. Exponents of MOND have employed a broad, at times explicitly philosophical, conceptual perspective in arguing their case. This paper offers reasons why that MONDian defense has been ineffective. First, we argue that the defense of MOND can best be reconstructed as an instance of meta-empirical theory assessment (MEA). The formal employment of MEA-type reasoning by MONDians is unconvincing, however, because it lacks the epistemic cogency required for successful MEA-type reasoning. In the last part of the paper, we draw some lessons for the debate and for MEA more generally.

This talk is based on joint work with Richard Dawid.