Models and Modeling in the Sciences: A Philosophical Introduction / Edition 1

by Stephen M. Downes

Overview

Biologists, climate scientists, and economists all rely on models to move their work forward. In this book, Stephen M. Downes explores the use of models in these and other fields to introduce readers to the various philosophical issues that arise in scientific modeling. Readers learn that paying attention to models plays a crucial role in appraising scientific work.

This book first presents a wide range of models from a number of different scientific disciplines. After assembling some illustrative examples, Downes demonstrates how models shed light on many perennial issues in philosophy of science and in philosophy in general. Reviewing the range of views on how models represent their targets introduces readers to the key issues in debates on representation, not only in science but in the arts as well. Also, standard epistemological questions are cast in new and interesting ways when readers confront the question, "What makes for a good (or bad) model?"

All examples from the sciences and positions in the philosophy of science are presented in an accessible manner. The book is suitable for undergraduates with minimal experience in philosophy and an introductory undergraduate experience in science.

Key features:

• The book serves as a highly accessible philosophical introduction to models and modeling in the sciences, presenting all philosophical and scientific issues in a nontechnical manner.
• Students and other readers learn to practice philosophy of science by starting with clear examples taken directly from the sciences.
• While not comprehensive, this book introduces the reader to a wide range of views on key issues in the philosophy of science.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781138122239
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	07/10/2020
Pages:	114
Product dimensions:	5.06(w) x 7.81(h) x (d)

About the Author

Stephen M. Downes is Professor of Philosophy at the University of Utah, USA. He has published articles on the philosophy of biology, the biology of human behavior, and scientific models. He is co-editor, with Edouard Machery, of Arguing about Human Nature (Routledge, 2013).

Table of Contents

List of Figures vii

Preface ix

1 Introduction 1

2 Models in the Sciences 6

3 Characterizing and Classifying Models 33

4 Models and Representation 52

5 What Makes for a Good (or Bad) Model? 69

6 Conclusion: Pluralism about Models, Modeling, and Model Evaluation 84

References 91

Index 99

Editorial Reviews

CHOICE Highly Recommended:

"In this short but thorough and informative work, Downes provides a detailed, judicious overview of the nature of scientific models as fundamental components of the sciences and of the processes of modeling as an essential aspect of scientific practice. As part of elucidating the depth and range of models and modeling, Downes provides examples and types of models across multiple disciplines, including biology, physics, psychology, and economics. . . . Summing up: Highly recommended. Lower- and upper-division undergraduates. Graduate students, faculty, and professionals. Students in two-year technical programs."
D. B. Boersema (Pacific University) in Choice

Reprinted with permission from CHOICE http://www.choicereviews.org, copyright by the American Library Association

From the Publisher