PhilSci Archive

Models, Sherlock Holmes and the Emperor Claudius

Toon, Adam (2012) Models, Sherlock Holmes and the Emperor Claudius. In: UNSPECIFIED.

[img]
Preview
PDF
Phil_Sci_Archive_-_Adam_Toon_-_Models_Sherlock_Holmes_and_the_Emperor_Claudius.pdf

Download (188kB)

Abstract

Recently, a number of authors have suggested that we understand scientific models in the same way as fictional characters, like Sherlock Holmes. The biggest challenge for this approach concerns the ontology of fictional characters. I consider two responses to this challenge, given by Roman Frigg, Ronald Giere and Peter Godfrey-Smith, and argue that neither is successful. I then suggest an alternative approach. While parallels with fiction are useful, I argue that models of real systems are more aptly compared to works that portray real people, like the Emperor Claudius. This approach will allow us to avoid problems with fictional characters.


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

Item Type: Conference or Workshop Item (UNSPECIFIED)
Creators:
CreatorsEmailORCID
Toon, Adamadam.toon@uni-bielefeld.de
Keywords: Models, idealization, representation, fiction, imagination, make-believe
Subjects: General Issues > Models and Idealization
Depositing User: Dr Adam Toon
Date Deposited: 09 Nov 2012 14:12
Last Modified: 09 Nov 2012 14:12
Item ID: 9425
Subjects: General Issues > Models and Idealization
Date: 2012
URI: https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/9425

Monthly Views for the past 3 years

Monthly Downloads for the past 3 years

Plum Analytics

Actions (login required)

View Item View Item