Frigg, Roman (2010) Models and Fiction. Synthese, 172 (2). pp. 251-268.

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Abstract

Most scientific models are not physical objects, and this raises important questions. What sort of entity are models, what is truth in a model, and how do we learn about models? In this paper I argue that models share important aspects in common with literary fiction, and that therefore theories of fiction can be brought to bear on these questions. In particular, I argue that the pretence theory as developed by Walton (1990) has the resources to answer these questions. I introduce this account, outline the answers that it offers, and develop a general picture of scientific modelling based on it.

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Item Type:	Published Article or Volume
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID Frigg, Roman r.p.frigg@lse.ac.uk
Keywords:	model, fiction, Walton, make-believe, pretence - pretense, truth in fiction, semantic view of theories, structuralist view of models
Subjects:	General Issues > Structure of Theories General Issues > Models and Idealization
Depositing User:	Roman Frigg
Date Deposited:	22 Dec 2014 16:36
Last Modified:	22 Dec 2014 16:36
Item ID:	11220
Journal or Publication Title:	Synthese
Publisher:	Springer
Official URL:	http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11229-00...
Subjects:	General Issues > Structure of Theories General Issues > Models and Idealization
Date:	December 2010
Page Range:	pp. 251-268
Volume:	172
Number:	2
URI:	https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/11220

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