Prieto, Guido I. and Fábregas-Tejeda, Alejandro (2026) Modeling versatility as the hallmark of model organisms. History and Philosophy of the Life Sciences, 48. p. 12. ISSN 0391-9714

Text Prieto & Fabregas-Tejeda 2026.pdf - Published Version Available under License Creative Commons Attribution. Download (1MB)

Abstract

In recent years, discussions on the epistemology of model organism-based research have emerged in the philosophy of science. A key topic of discussion is how the epistemic insights gained from model organisms differ from those gained through other experimental organisms used in laboratory and field research. Here, we argue that model organisms are epistemically special due to their nature as ontogenetically changeable, standardized, and evolved material model carriers. These characteristics afford six important kinds of modeling versatility that biologists marshal in their investigations: (i) synchronic target versatility; (ii) synchronic scope versatility; (iii) diachronic target versatility; (iv) diachronic scope versatility; (v) manipulation versatility; and (vi) discovery versatility. In presenting these dimensions of modeling versatility, we also clarify key notions such as ‘representational target,’ ‘representational scope,’ and ‘representational power’ as these apply to modeling practices that involve model organisms.

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Item Type:	Published Article or Volume
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID Prieto, Guido I. guido.prieto@uni-bielefeld.de 0000-0002-0072-8304 Fábregas-Tejeda, Alejandro alejandro.fabregastejeda@kuleuven.be 0000-0002-1797-5467
Keywords:	Model organism · Modeling · Model carrier · Scientific representation · Representational power · Representational scope · Ontogeny
Subjects:	Specific Sciences > Biology Specific Sciences > Biology > Developmental Biology Specific Sciences > Biology > Molecular Biology/Genetics General Issues > Experimentation Specific Sciences > Medicine General Issues > Models and Idealization Specific Sciences > Neuroscience
Depositing User:	Dr. Guido I. Prieto
Date Deposited:	26 Feb 2026 16:28
Last Modified:	26 Feb 2026 16:28
Item ID:	28339
Journal or Publication Title:	History and Philosophy of the Life Sciences
Publisher:	Springer
Official URL:	https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40656-0...
DOI or Unique Handle:	https://doi.org/10.1007/s40656-026-00718-5
Subjects:	Specific Sciences > Biology Specific Sciences > Biology > Developmental Biology Specific Sciences > Biology > Molecular Biology/Genetics General Issues > Experimentation Specific Sciences > Medicine General Issues > Models and Idealization Specific Sciences > Neuroscience
Date:	24 February 2026
Page Range:	p. 12
Volume:	48
ISSN:	0391-9714
URI:	https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/28339

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• Modeling versatility as the hallmark of model organisms. (deposited 25 Nov 2025 13:30)
  • Modeling versatility as the hallmark of model organisms. (deposited 26 Feb 2026 16:28) [Currently Displayed]

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