Zach, Martin (2022) Revisiting abstraction and idealization: How not to criticize mechanistic explanation in molecular biology. [Preprint]
![[img]](https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/style/images/fileicons/text.png) |
Text
Zach_Abstraction, idealization, mechanistic explanation EJPS PREPRINT.docx Download (365kB) |
Abstract
Abstraction and idealization are the two notions that are most often discussed in the context of assumptions employed in the process of model building. These notions are also routinely used in philosophical debates such as that on the mechanistic account of explanation. Indeed, an objection to the mechanistic account has recently been formulated precisely on these grounds: mechanists cannot account for the common practice of idealizing difference-making factors in models in molecular biology. In this paper I revisit the debate and I argue that the objection does not stand up to scrutiny. This is because it is riddled with a number of conceptual inconsistencies. By attempting to resolve the tensions, I also draw several general lessons regarding the difficulties of applying abstraction and idealization in scientific practice. Finally, I argue that more care is needed only when speaking of abstraction and idealization in a context in which these concepts play an important role in an argument, such as that on mechanistic explanation.
| Export/Citation: | EndNote | BibTeX | Dublin Core | ASCII/Text Citation (Chicago) | HTML Citation | OpenURL |
| Social Networking: |
| Item Type: | Preprint | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Creators: |
|
||||||
| Additional Information: | Forthcoming in the European Journal for Philosophy of Science | ||||||
| Keywords: | abstraction; idealization; mechanistic explanation; molecular biology; scientific models | ||||||
| Subjects: | Specific Sciences > Biology Specific Sciences > Biology > Molecular Biology/Genetics General Issues > Models and Idealization General Issues > Philosophers of Science |
||||||
| Depositing User: | Dr. Martin Zach | ||||||
| Date Deposited: | 12 Feb 2022 22:47 | ||||||
| Last Modified: | 12 Feb 2022 22:47 | ||||||
| Item ID: | 20219 | ||||||
| Subjects: | Specific Sciences > Biology Specific Sciences > Biology > Molecular Biology/Genetics General Issues > Models and Idealization General Issues > Philosophers of Science |
||||||
| Date: | 2022 | ||||||
| URI: | https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/20219 |
Monthly Views for the past 3 years
Monthly Downloads for the past 3 years
Plum Analytics
Actions (login required)
 |
View Item |
![[feed]](http://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/style/images/feed-icon-32x32.png){kind=icon}