Potochnik, Angela (2014) Idealization and the Limits of Science. In: UNSPECIFIED.

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Abstract

Idealizations are rampant and unchecked in science. That is, they exist throughout our best representations, and there is little focus on eliminating them or controlling their influence. This is because idealizations, despite their falsity, play a positive representational role. This account of idealization motivates a reconstrual of the aims of science. Science has a variety of epistemic and non-epistemic aims, and the ultimate epistemic aim is understanding, which can be furthered by sacrificing truth. The deemphasis of scientific truth drives a wedge between scientific results and any metaphysical implications regarding ontology, causation, or levels of organization.

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Item Type:	Conference or Workshop Item (UNSPECIFIED)
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID Potochnik, Angela angela.potochnik@uc.edu
Additional Information:	This file is an early draft of two book chapters on which my MS6 talk will be based. The talk will draw from sections 2.2, 3.2, and 3.3.
Keywords:	idealization, representation, modeling, scientific understanding
Subjects:	General Issues > Models and Idealization
Depositing User:	Angela Potochnik
Date Deposited:	11 Mar 2014 18:24
Last Modified:	11 Mar 2014 18:24
Item ID:	10557
Subjects:	General Issues > Models and Idealization
Date:	27 January 2014
URI:	https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/10557

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• Idealization and the Limits of Science. (deposited 29 Jan 2014 05:22)
  • Idealization and the Limits of Science. (deposited 11 Mar 2014 18:24) [Currently Displayed]

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