PhilSci Archive

Kinds of Models

Sterrett, Susan G. (2005) Kinds of Models. [Preprint]

[img]
Preview
PDF
SterrettKindsOfModelsArchive.pdf

Download (63kB)

Abstract

I survey a broad variety of models with an eye to asking what kind of model each is in the following sense: in virtue of what is each of them regarded as a model? It will be seen that when we classify models according to the answer to this question, it comes to light that the notion of model predominant in philosophy of science covers only some of the kinds of models used in scientific contexts. The notion of a model predominant in philosophy of science requires that a model be related to something formal, such as equations or statements. Not all the examples provided in the brief survey in this paper fit that notion of a model. I identify another kind of model that ought to be included in philosophical and foundational studies of scientific models, which I call a “piece of the world” kind of model, to contrast with a “realm of thought” kind of model. These models also have formal methodologies associated with them, and, hence, analytic philosophers of science can embrace them without abandoning the rigor that has characterized the discipline.


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

Item Type: Preprint
Creators:
CreatorsEmailORCID
Sterrett, Susan G.susangsterrett@gmail.com
Keywords: Model, representation, analogy, inductive inference, scientific reasoning
Subjects: General Issues > Models and Idealization
Depositing User: Dr Susan G. Sterrett
Date Deposited: 15 Jul 2005
Last Modified: 28 May 2019 13:20
Item ID: 2363
Subjects: General Issues > Models and Idealization
Date: July 2005
URI: https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/2363

Monthly Views for the past 3 years

Monthly Downloads for the past 3 years

Plum Analytics

Actions (login required)

View Item View Item