Linnemann, Niels and Michels, Robert (2026) Scientific understanding as dependency-grasping. [Preprint]
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Abstract
Dellsén has recently proposed an account of scientific understanding that extends the well-established dependence-grasping account of objectual understanding. This proposal is attractive because it bridges traditional epistemology and the epistemology of science, combining a central philosophical insight about understanding with sensitivity to the scientific context. In this paper, we raise two objections that challenge the adequacy of this account for scientific practice. First, it fails to ensure that the dependencies one must grasp in order to achieve scientific understanding are appropriately related to scientific models. Second, it overlooks the fact that scientific understanding often involves an awareness of the epistemic limitations of such models. We then propose modifications to Dellsén’s account that address both concerns while preserving its central insights. As a result, we obtain a genuine dependency-grasping account of scientific understanding.
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| Item Type: | Preprint | |||||||||
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| Keywords: | objectual understanding; scientific understanding; scientific models; dependence; epistemology of science | |||||||||
| Subjects: | General Issues > Explanation General Issues > Models and Idealization |
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| Depositing User: | Robert Michels | |||||||||
| Date Deposited: | 06 Mar 2026 13:25 | |||||||||
| Last Modified: | 06 Mar 2026 13:25 | |||||||||
| Item ID: | 28451 | |||||||||
| Subjects: | General Issues > Explanation General Issues > Models and Idealization |
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| Date: | 2026 | |||||||||
| URI: | https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/28451 |
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