The Importance of Models in Theorizing: A Deflationary Semantic View

PSA: Proceedings of the Biennial Meeting of the Philosophy of Science Association 1992:142 - 153 (1992)
  Copy   BIBTEX

Abstract

I critically examine the semantic view of theories to reveal the following results. First, models in science are not the same as models in mathematics, as holders of the semantic view claim. Second, when several examples of the semantic approach are examined in detail no common thread is found between them, except their close attention to the details of model building in each particular science. These results lead me to propose a deflationary semantic view, which is simply that model construction is an important component of theorizing in science. This deflationary view is consistent with a naturalized approach to the philosophy of science.

Author's Profile

Stephen M. Downes
University of Utah

Analytics

Added to PP
2011-05-29

Downloads
1,163 (#9,266)

6 months
104 (#32,387)

Historical graph of downloads since first upload
This graph includes both downloads from PhilArchive and clicks on external links on PhilPapers.
How can I increase my downloads?