Sterrett, Susan G. (2001) Physical Models and Fundamental Laws: Using One Piece of the World to Tell About Another (Pavia MBR'01 version). [Preprint]

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Abstract

In this paper I discuss the relationship between model, theories, and laws in the practice of experimental scale modeling. The methodology of experimental scale modeling, also known as physical similarity, differs markedly from that of other kinds of models in ways that are important to issues in philosophy of science. Scale models are not discussed in much depth in mainstream philosophy of science. In this paper, I examine how scale models are used in making inferences. The main question I address in this talk is ``How are fundamental laws involved in the construction of, and inferences drawn from, experimental scale models?'' We shall see that there is a refreshing alternative to the mainstream view that models can serve only as intermediaries between theory and experiment. Using the methodology of scale models, one can use observations on one piece of the world to make inferences about another piece of the world, without involving an intermediate abstract model about which one reasons. The philosophical significance of that point to philosophy of science is that the method of physical similarity, which provides the basis for inferences based upon scale models, is a qualitatively different way in which fundamental laws can be used in analogical reasoning that is truly informative. Finally, as this method provides a formal basis for case-based reasoning, it may be helpful in formalizing methods used in some of the so-called ``special sciences''.

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Item Type:	Preprint
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID Sterrett, Susan G.
Keywords:	Models, similarity, laws, analogical reasoning
Subjects:	General Issues > Laws of Nature General Issues > Models and Idealization General Issues > Theory/Observation
Depositing User:	Dr Susan G. Sterrett
Date Deposited:	12 Aug 2002
Last Modified:	07 Oct 2010 15:10
Item ID:	720
Subjects:	General Issues > Laws of Nature General Issues > Models and Idealization General Issues > Theory/Observation
Date:	May 2001
URI:	https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/720

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