UC Irvine

I consider how current theory in fundamental physics matters to the development of future theory in the discipline. As discussed in the Introduction (Chapter 1), my aim is to better understand how we may achieve transformational research in fundamental physics, particularly concerning quantum gravity, when it is our current theoretical understanding that nonetheless functions as our guide. Toward that end, Chapter 2 provides a methodology within contemporary quantum gravity research that is consistent with the focus given to the `cosmological constant problem' in practice. The method I sketch there is contrary to a picture of theory development that is otherwise spelled out in terms of explorations of theory space. Instead, it centers the importance of specifying the technical machinery that is needed to articulate empirical problems for the future theory, in advance of that theory's development. Chapter 3 then argues that this method can be epistemically well founded. In the case of the historically standard version of the cosmological constant problem, the grounds for pursuing solutions to the problem in the course of quantum gravity research ultimately trace back to beliefs concerning what it is about our current, empirically successful theories that accounts for their successes. In Chapter 4, I then shift gears in order to argue against the applicability of a recent account of creativity in scientific discovery, which is spelled out in terms of the wide exploration of something very much like theory space. This picks up a thread from Chapter 2, which I expand upon in the Conclusion (Chapter 5). Ultimately, the perspective on theory development supported by the method I articulate seems to better capture how, beginning with current theory, we may wind up with a future theory of quantum gravity that is sufficiently novel to accomplish all that we presently demand of it.