Concepts at work: the dynamics of scientific concepts in the case of research on multiple and interacting galaxies (1925-1980)

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Friedrich Steinle
• Subject Area: History of Science
• Term: from 2016 to 2020
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 289438140

The proposed project's objectives are twofold: first, it aims at reconstructing an important development within 20th century astrophysics; second, this reconstruction should contribute to our general understanding of the dynamics of empirical concepts in modern sciences. The investigation focuses on the studies of galaxies between 1925 and 1980 and, more specifically, on the innovative strand which studied so called multiple and interacting galaxies. This research strand has scarcely been subject to historical analysis, but fundamental in the development of the galaxy concept and instigated a whole new outlook for cosmological studies in which galaxies developed from being stationary island universes and mere markers of a mapping science into dynamic entities and 'cosmic laboratories' of a quasi experimental science. At the same time, the research strand features a very specific research constellation: a small number of researchers in different countries working under diverging research conditions who communicated with each other for the longest time on the basis of very little empirical data. This exchange entailed the continuous transformation of the galaxy concept; it will hence lie at the heart of the investigation. In historical presentations, mainly presented by astronomy itself, unexpected chance discoveries triggered by technological progress, while taking place within an essentially unchanging framework of concepts have been perceived as the main impulses for the advancement of astrophysics. The project has the potential to revise this perspective. By focusing on conceptual frameworks and their shifts and transformations within the scientific communication, the project takes a novel approach. Moreover, the investigation will show how this 'putting concepts into work' allowed for the integration i.e. coexistence of diverging research outlooks before they gradually merged into a coherent research activity. Finally, this focus will bear insights into conceptual dynamics and thus place the project within the context of a new historical interest for scientific concepts. As part of an interdisciplinary group project which brings together history, philosophy as well as sociology of science and aims at making fruitful use of the comparative theory of science of Ludwik Fleck, the study will, furthermore, contribute to the shared investigation of how astrophysical facts come into being and develop.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants