Seeking Representations of Phenomena: Phenomenological Models

Portides, Demetris (2006) Seeking Representations of Phenomena: Phenomenological Models. In [2006] Philosophy of Science Assoc. 20th Biennial Mtg (Vancouver): PSA 2006 Contributed Papers.

Abstract

I argue that phenomenological modeling can be better understood as a process that abides by theoretical constraints which are in constant interplay with experimentally determined results and progressively changing physical intuitions about the models’ target physical systems. I demonstrate this idea by an analysis of the single-particle shell model of nuclear structure. I also draw attention to the fact that phenomenological models are distinct entities from theory-driven models, that cannot be viewed as approximations of the latter. Thus if they represent their targets it is in virtue of their explanatory power and not because of their closeness to theory.