What is "fundamental"?

TL;DR

This paper explores how collective views on what is considered fundamental in science evolve over time, primarily driven by advances in theory and experiment rather than epistemology.

Contribution

It offers a perspective that ontological shifts are mainly influenced by scientific progress, challenging the common assumption that epistemology is the primary driver.

Findings

Ontological views evolve with scientific advances

Theoretical and experimental progress drive changes in fundamental concepts

Epistemology reacts to scientific developments rather than leading them

Abstract

Our collective views regarding the question "what is fundamental?" are continually evolving. These ontological shifts in what we regard as fundamental are largely driven by theoretical advances ("what can we calculate?"), and experimental advances ("what can we measure?"). Rarely (in my view) is epistemology the fundamental driver; more commonly epistemology reacts (after a few decades) to what is going on in the theoretical and experimental zeitgeist.