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Theories: Tools versus Models

Suárez, Mauricio and Cartwright, Nancy (2007) Theories: Tools versus Models. [Preprint]

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Abstract

In “The Toolbox of Science” (1995) together with Towfic Shomar we advocated a form of instrumentalism about scientific theories. We separately developed this view further in a number of subsequent works. Steven French, James Ladyman, Otavio Bueno and Newton Da Costa (FLBD) have since written at least eight papers and a book criticising our work. Here we defend ourselves. First we explain what we mean in denying that models derive from theory – and why their failure to do so should be lamented. Second we defend our use of the London model of superconductivity as an example. Third we point out both advantages and weaknesses of FLBD’s techniques in comparison to traditional Anglophone versions of the semantic conception. Fourth we show that FLBD’s version of the semantic conception has not been applied to our case study. We conclude by raising doubts about FLBD’s overall project.


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Item Type: Preprint
Creators:
CreatorsEmailORCID
Suárez, Mauricio
Cartwright, Nancy
Additional Information: In press, Studies in the History and Philosophy of Modern Physics. (Submitted 12 July 2004, revised 6 April 2007, accepted 25 May 2007).
Keywords: Physics, models, structures, superconductivity, instrumentalism
Subjects: General Issues > Models and Idealization
General Issues > Realism/Anti-realism
General Issues > Operationalism/Instrumentalism
Depositing User: Prof Mauricio Suárez
Date Deposited: 07 Oct 2007
Last Modified: 07 Oct 2010 15:15
Item ID: 3577
Subjects: General Issues > Models and Idealization
General Issues > Realism/Anti-realism
General Issues > Operationalism/Instrumentalism
Date: April 2007
URI: https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/3577

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