Toon, Adam (2012) Models, Sherlock Holmes and the Emperor Claudius. In: UNSPECIFIED.

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Abstract

Recently, a number of authors have suggested that we understand scientific models in the same way as fictional characters, like Sherlock Holmes. The biggest challenge for this approach concerns the ontology of fictional characters. I consider two responses to this challenge, given by Roman Frigg, Ronald Giere and Peter Godfrey-Smith, and argue that neither is successful. I then suggest an alternative approach. While parallels with fiction are useful, I argue that models of real systems are more aptly compared to works that portray real people, like the Emperor Claudius. This approach will allow us to avoid problems with fictional characters.

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Item Type:	Conference or Workshop Item (UNSPECIFIED)
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID Toon, Adam adam.toon@uni-bielefeld.de
Keywords:	Models, idealization, representation, fiction, imagination, make-believe
Subjects:	General Issues > Models and Idealization
Depositing User:	Dr Adam Toon
Date Deposited:	09 Nov 2012 14:12
Last Modified:	09 Nov 2012 14:12
Item ID:	9425
Subjects:	General Issues > Models and Idealization
Date:	2012
URI:	https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/9425

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