PhilSci Archive

Mechanistic Inquiry and Scientific Pursuit: The Case of Visual Processing

Haueis, Philipp and Kästner, Lena (2022) Mechanistic Inquiry and Scientific Pursuit: The Case of Visual Processing. [Preprint]

[img]
Preview
Text
Haueis_Käsner_2022_Mechanistic Inquiry and Scientific Pursuit_Penultimate.pdf

Download (1MB) | Preview

Abstract

Why is it rational for scientists to pursue multiple models of a phenomenon at the same time? The literatures on mechanistic inquiry and scientific pursuit each develop answers to a version of this question which is rarely discussed by the other. The mechanistic literature suggests that scientists pursue different complementary models because each model provides detailed insights into different aspects of the phenomenon under investigation. The pursuit literature suggests that scientists pursue competing models because alternative models promise to solve outstanding empirical and conceptual problems. Looking into research on visual processing as a case study, we suggest an integrated account of why it is rational for scientists to pursue both complementary and competing models of the same mechanism in scientific practice.


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

Item Type: Preprint
Creators:
CreatorsEmailORCID
Haueis, Philippphilipp.haueis@uni-bielefeld.de0000-0002-0935-9015
Kästner, Lenamail@lenakaestner.de0000-0002-8747-6911
Keywords: Pursuit, Mechanism, Mechanistic Explanation, Discovery, Models, Visual Processing
Subjects: Specific Sciences > Neuroscience > Cognitive Neuroscience
Specific Sciences > Cognitive Science
General Issues > Experimentation
General Issues > Explanation
General Issues > History of Science Case Studies
General Issues > Models and Idealization
Specific Sciences > Neuroscience
Specific Sciences > Cognitive Science > Perception
General Issues > Structure of Theories
General Issues > Theory Change
Depositing User: Dr. Philipp Haueis
Date Deposited: 29 Apr 2022 03:45
Last Modified: 29 Apr 2022 03:45
Item ID: 20514
Official URL: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/...
DOI or Unique Handle: 10.1016/j.shpsa.2022.03.007
Subjects: Specific Sciences > Neuroscience > Cognitive Neuroscience
Specific Sciences > Cognitive Science
General Issues > Experimentation
General Issues > Explanation
General Issues > History of Science Case Studies
General Issues > Models and Idealization
Specific Sciences > Neuroscience
Specific Sciences > Cognitive Science > Perception
General Issues > Structure of Theories
General Issues > Theory Change
Date: 2022
URI: https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/20514

Monthly Views for the past 3 years

Monthly Downloads for the past 3 years

Plum Analytics

Altmetric.com

Actions (login required)

View Item View Item