Dark matter, dark energy and modern cosmology: the case for a Kuhnian paradigm shift

TL;DR

This paper argues that current cosmological challenges, such as dark matter and dark energy, constitute a Kuhnian anomaly that may necessitate a fundamental paradigm shift in physics and cosmology.

Contribution

It provides a philosophical perspective on the need for a paradigm shift in understanding the universe, framing current issues as a Kuhnian anomaly.

Findings

Current data suggest a dominant dark energy component.

The situation indicates a potential crisis in existing cosmological theories.

A paradigm shift may be required to resolve fundamental inconsistencies.

Abstract

Several works in the last few years devoted to measure fundamental probes of contemporary cosmology have suggested the existence of a delocalized dominant component (the "dark energy"), in addition to the several-decade-old evidence for "dark matter" other than ordinary baryons, both assuming the description of gravity to be correct. Either we are faced to accept the ignorance of at least 95 % of the content of the universe or consider a deep change of the conceptual framework to understand the data. Thus, the situation seems to be completely favorable for a Kuhnian paradigm shift in either particle physics or cosmology. We attempt to offer here a brief discussion of these issues from this particular perspective, arguing that the situation qualifies as a textbook Kuhnian anomaly, and offer a tentative identification of some of the actual elements typically associated with the paradigm shift process "in the works" in contemporary science.