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Minimal Approximations and Norton's Dome

Fletcher, Samuel C. (2018) Minimal Approximations and Norton's Dome. Synthese, 196 (5). pp. 1749-1760. ISSN 1573-0964

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Abstract

In this note, I apply Norton's (2012) distinction between idealizations and approximations to argue that the epistemic and inferential advantages often taken to accrue to minimal models (Batterman, 2002) could apply equally to approximations, including "infinite" ones for which there is no consistent model. This shows that the strategy of capturing essential features through minimality extends beyond models, even though the techniques for justifying this extended strategy remain similar. As an application I consider the justification and advantages of the approximation of a inertial reference frame in Norton's dome scenario (2008), thereby answering a question raised by Laraudogoitia (2013).


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Item Type: Published Article or Volume
Creators:
CreatorsEmailORCID
Fletcher, Samuel C.scfletch@umn.edu0000-0002-9061-8976
Additional Information: This is a postprint, pre-copyedited version.
Keywords: Minimal models, Idealization, Approximation, Determinism, Classical physics, Inertial reference frames
Subjects: Specific Sciences > Physics > Classical Physics
General Issues > Determinism/Indeterminism
General Issues > Models and Idealization
Depositing User: Prof. Samuel C. Fletcher
Date Deposited: 26 May 2020 23:05
Last Modified: 26 May 2020 23:05
Item ID: 17239
Journal or Publication Title: Synthese
Publisher: Springer (Springer Science+Business Media B.V.)
DOI or Unique Handle: 10.1007/s11229-018-1676-0
Subjects: Specific Sciences > Physics > Classical Physics
General Issues > Determinism/Indeterminism
General Issues > Models and Idealization
Date: 2 January 2018
Page Range: pp. 1749-1760
Volume: 196
Number: 5
ISSN: 1573-0964
URI: https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/17239

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