Frigg, Roman (2007) Models and Fiction. [Preprint]

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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:	Preprint
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID Frigg, Roman
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:	06 Jan 2008
Last Modified:	07 Oct 2010 15:16
Item ID:	3805
Subjects:	General Issues > Structure of Theories General Issues > Models and Idealization
Date:	December 2007
URI:	https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/3805

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