Arroyo-Santos, Alfonso and De Donato-Rodríguez, Xavier (2008) Idealization and the Strcuture of Theories in Biololgy. In: UNSPECIFIED.

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Abstract

In this paper we present a new framework of idealization in biology. We characterize idealizations as a network of counterfactual conditionals that can exhibit different degrees of contingency. We use the idea of possible worlds to say that, in departing more or less from the actual world, idealizations can serve numerous epistemic, methodological or heuristic purposes within scientific research. We defend that, in part, it is this structure what helps explain why idealizations, despite being deformations of reality, are so successful in scientific practice.

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Item Type:	Conference or Workshop Item (UNSPECIFIED)
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID Arroyo-Santos, Alfonso De Donato-Rodríguez, Xavier
Keywords:	idealization, theory, biology, possible worlds,
Subjects:	General Issues > Models and Idealization
Depositing User:	Alfonso Arroyo-Santos
Date Deposited:	05 Nov 2008
Last Modified:	11 Mar 2012 13:38
Item ID:	4304
Subjects:	General Issues > Models and Idealization
Date:	2008
URI:	https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/4304

Available Versions of this Item

• Idealization and the Strcuture of Theories in Biololgy. (deposited 05 Nov 2008) [Currently Displayed]
  • The structure of idealization in biological theories: the case of the Wright-Fisher model. (deposited 11 Mar 2012 13:38)

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