Liu, Chuang (2011) Variations on A Theme by Duhem. [Preprint]

Microsoft Word duhemvar.final.doc - Submitted Version Download (178kB)

Abstract

This paper contains four variations on Duhem's theme about the contrast between the abstract French mind and the concrete British mind. The first variation brings out the real contrast between two types of methods and their results: the A(bstract) method or models and the C(oncrete) method or models. The second variation gives a critical discussion of the Callender-Cohen deflationary contruel of scientific representation. The third variation discusses Russell's structuralism in connection to the theme. And the fourth variation critically discusses the relationship between models and fiction in connection to the distinction between the A-models and the C-models. A coda maps out without sufficiently detailed arguments the author's view on the nature of the C-models and why they, and only they, can be viewed as fully fictional.

---

Export/Citation:

EndNote | BibTeX | Dublin Core | ASCII/Text Citation (Chicago) | HTML Citation | OpenURL

Social Networking:

Share |

---

Item Type:	Preprint
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID Liu, Chuang logics@ufl.edu
Keywords:	model, representation, structure, structural realism, observable, unobservable, fictional
Subjects:	General Issues > Models and Idealization General Issues > Structure of Theories General Issues > Theory/Observation
Depositing User:	Chuang Liu
Date Deposited:	03 Apr 2011 13:45
Last Modified:	03 Apr 2011 13:45
Item ID:	8542
Subjects:	General Issues > Models and Idealization General Issues > Structure of Theories General Issues > Theory/Observation
Date:	2 April 2011
URI:	https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/8542

Monthly Views for the past 3 years

Monthly Downloads for the past 3 years

Plum Analytics

Actions (login required)

View Item