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The Epistemology of Cosmology

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The Universe

Part of the book series: Astrophysics and Space Science Library ((ASSL,volume 244))

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Abstract

This article reviews epistemological issues that arise in cosmology, which is different from other subjects particularly because the universe is unique. A series of philosophical assumptions underlie our present-day spatially homogeneous and isotropic world models, whose assumed geometry is not directly testable because of limitations on what can be measured; alternative models are also viable. Nevertheless the standard model has strong support from evidence and can with full justification be adopted as a solid basis for cosmological investigation. However physical cosmology rests on, and is unable to investigate in terms of its own methods, a further series of metaphysical issues to do with the existence and nature of physical laws. Examination of these issues has of necessity to rest on appropriate philosophical and metaphysical approaches.

Fundamental issues in cosmology have always been of major concern to Jayant Narlikar. It is thus a pleasure to dedicate this reflection on the nature of epistemology in cosmology to him, on the occasion of his 60th birthday.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Mathematic Department, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, 7700, South Africa

    George F. R. Ellis

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  1. George F. R. Ellis
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophyics, Pune, India

    Naresh Dadhich  & Ajit Kembhavi  & 

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© 2000 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht

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Ellis, G.F.R. (2000). The Epistemology of Cosmology. In: Dadhich, N., Kembhavi, A. (eds) The Universe. Astrophysics and Space Science Library, vol 244. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-4050-8_12

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-4050-8_12

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-94-010-5784-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-011-4050-8

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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