PhilSci Archive

The Diverse Aims of Science

Potochnik, Angela (2015) The Diverse Aims of Science. [Preprint]

[img]
Preview
Text
POTTDAv1.pdf - Accepted Version

Download (202kB) | Preview

Abstract

There is increasing attention to the centrality of idealization in science. One common view is that models and other idealized representations are important to science, but that they fall short in one or more ways. On this view, there must be an intermediary step between idealized representation and the traditional aims of science, including truth, explanation, and prediction. Here I develop an alternative interpretation of the relationship between idealized representation and the aims of science. In my view, continuing, widespread idealization calls into question the idea that science aims for truth. I argue that understanding must replace truth as the ultimate epistemic aim of science. Additionally, science has a wide variety aims, epistemic and non-epistemic, and these aims motivate different kinds of scientific products. Finally, I show how these diverse aims---all rather distant from truth---result in the expanded influence of social values on science.


Export/Citation: EndNote | BibTeX | Dublin Core | ASCII/Text Citation (Chicago) | HTML Citation | OpenURL
Social Networking:
Share |

Item Type: Preprint
Creators:
CreatorsEmailORCID
Potochnik, Angela
Keywords: idealization, understanding, scientific aims, values in science
Subjects: General Issues > Explanation
General Issues > Models and Idealization
General Issues > Values In Science
Depositing User: Angela Potochnik
Date Deposited: 12 May 2021 03:05
Last Modified: 12 May 2021 03:05
Item ID: 19007
Journal or Publication Title: Studies in History and Philosophy of Science
DOI or Unique Handle: 10.1016/j.shpsa.2015.05.008
Subjects: General Issues > Explanation
General Issues > Models and Idealization
General Issues > Values In Science
Date: 2015
Page Range: pp. 71-80
Volume: 53
URI: https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/19007

Monthly Views for the past 3 years

Monthly Downloads for the past 3 years

Plum Analytics

Altmetric.com

Actions (login required)

View Item View Item