Saatsi, Juha (2016) Dynamical Systems Theory and Explanatory Indispensability. [Preprint]

Preview

Text EIA_Dynamical_Systems_Theory.pdf Download (898kB) | Preview

Abstract

I examine explanations' realist commitments in relation to dynamical systems theory. First I rebut an 'explanatory indispensability argument' for mathematical realism from the explanatory power of phase spaces (Lyon and Colyvan 2007). Then I critically consider a possible way of strengthening the indispensability argument by reference to attractors in dynamical systems theory. The take-home message is that understanding of the modal character of explanations (in dynamical systems theory) can undermine platonist arguments from explanatory indispensability.

---

Export/Citation:

EndNote | BibTeX | Dublin Core | ASCII/Text Citation (Chicago) | HTML Citation | OpenURL

Social Networking:

Share |

---

Item Type:	Preprint
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID Saatsi, Juha J.T.Saatsi@leeds.ac.uk
Additional Information:	Forthcoming in Philosophy of Science 84(5), 2017. Presented at PSA2016.
Keywords:	Indispensability argument Platonism Chaos Explanation
Subjects:	General Issues > Explanation Specific Sciences > Mathematics General Issues > Models and Idealization General Issues > Realism/Anti-realism
Depositing User:	Juha Saatsi
Date Deposited:	11 Jan 2017 15:22
Last Modified:	11 Jan 2017 15:22
Item ID:	12741
Subjects:	General Issues > Explanation Specific Sciences > Mathematics General Issues > Models and Idealization General Issues > Realism/Anti-realism
Date:	November 2016
URI:	https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/12741

Monthly Views for the past 3 years

Monthly Downloads for the past 3 years

Plum Analytics

Actions (login required)

View Item