Models, Simulations, and Representations

ISBN-13: 9780415891967 / Angielski / Twarda / 2011 / 306 str.

Paul Humphreys; Cyrille Imbert

Opis

Although scientific models and simulations differ in numerous ways, they are similar in so far as they are posing essentially philosophical problems about the nature of representation. This collection is designed to bring together some of the best work on the nature of representation being done by both established senior philosophers of science and younger researchers. Most of the pieces, while appealing to existing traditions of scientific representation, explore new types of questions, such as: how understanding can be developed within computational science; how the format of representations matters for their use, be it for the purpose of research or education; how the concepts of emergence and supervenience can be further analyzed by taking into account computational science; or how the emphasis upon tractability sheds new light on the philosophical analysis of scientific reasoning.

Spis treści

Introduction  Part 1: Models  1. The Productive Tension: Mechanisms vs. Templates in Modeling the Phenomena  Tarja Knuuttila and Andrea Loettgers  2. Theories or Models? The Case of Algebraic Quantum Field Theory  Tracy Lupher  3. Modeling and Experimenting  Isabelle Peschard  4. Model Dynamics: Epistemological Perspectives on Science and Its Education  Michael Stoeltzner  Part 2: Simulations  5. Weak Emergence and Computer Simulation  Mark Bedau  6. Agent-Based Modeling and the Fallacies of Individualism  Brian Epstein  7. Scientific Models, Simulation, and the Experimenter's Regress  Axel Gelfert  8. Simulation and the Sense of Understanding  Jaakko Kuorikoski  9. Models and Simulations in Brain Experiments  Patrick Suppes  Part 3: Representation  10.  Representing with Physical Models  Ronald Giere  11. The Truth of False Idealizations in Modeling  Uskali Maki  12. The Truth of False Idealizations in Modeling  Uskali Maki  13. Formats of Representation in Scientific Theorizing  Marion Vorms 

O autorze

Paul Humphreys is Professor of Philosophy, University of Virginia.

Cyrille Imbert is CNRS researcher, Archives Poincare (University of Nancy 2, CNRS).