Fletcher, Samuel C. (2018) Minimal Approximations and Norton's Dome. Synthese, 196 (5). pp. 1749-1760. ISSN 1573-0964
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Abstract
In this note, I apply Norton's (2012) distinction between idealizations and approximations to argue that the epistemic and inferential advantages often taken to accrue to minimal models (Batterman, 2002) could apply equally to approximations, including "infinite" ones for which there is no consistent model. This shows that the strategy of capturing essential features through minimality extends beyond models, even though the techniques for justifying this extended strategy remain similar. As an application I consider the justification and advantages of the approximation of a inertial reference frame in Norton's dome scenario (2008), thereby answering a question raised by Laraudogoitia (2013).
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| Item Type: | Published Article or Volume | ||||||
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| Additional Information: | This is a postprint, pre-copyedited version. | ||||||
| Keywords: | Minimal models, Idealization, Approximation, Determinism, Classical physics, Inertial reference frames | ||||||
| Subjects: | Specific Sciences > Physics > Classical Physics General Issues > Determinism/Indeterminism General Issues > Models and Idealization |
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| Depositing User: | Prof. Samuel C. Fletcher | ||||||
| Date Deposited: | 26 May 2020 23:05 | ||||||
| Last Modified: | 26 May 2020 23:05 | ||||||
| Item ID: | 17239 | ||||||
| Journal or Publication Title: | Synthese | ||||||
| Publisher: | Springer (Springer Science+Business Media B.V.) | ||||||
| DOI or Unique Handle: | 10.1007/s11229-018-1676-0 | ||||||
| Subjects: | Specific Sciences > Physics > Classical Physics General Issues > Determinism/Indeterminism General Issues > Models and Idealization |
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| Date: | 2 January 2018 | ||||||
| Page Range: | pp. 1749-1760 | ||||||
| Volume: | 196 | ||||||
| Number: | 5 | ||||||
| ISSN: | 1573-0964 | ||||||
| URI: | https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/17239 |
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