
Publication details
Year: 2013
Pages: 3611-3623
Series: Synthese
Full citation:
, "Modeling without representation", Synthese 190 (16), 2013, pp. 3611-3623.
Abstract
How can mathematical models which represent the causal structure of the world incompletely or incorrectly have any scientific value? I argue that this apparent puzzle is an artifact of a realist emphasis on representation in the philosophy of modeling. I offer an alternative, pragmatic methodology of modeling, inspired by classic papers by modelers themselves. The crux of the view is that models developed for purposes other than explanation may be justified without reference to their representational properties.
Publication details
Year: 2013
Pages: 3611-3623
Series: Synthese
Full citation:
, "Modeling without representation", Synthese 190 (16), 2013, pp. 3611-3623.