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Idealized models, holistic distortions, and universality

Collin Rice

pp. 2795-2819

Abstract

In this paper, I first argue against various attempts to justify idealizations in scientific models that explain by showing that they are harmless and isolable distortions of irrelevant features. In response, I propose a view in which idealized models are characterized as providing holistically distorted representations of their target system(s). I then suggest an alternative way that idealized modeling can be justified by appealing to universality.

Publication details

Published in:

Kirchhoff Michael (2018) Predictive brains and embodied, enactive cognition. Synthese 195 (6).

Pages: 2795-2819

DOI: 10.1007/s11229-017-1357-4

Full citation:

Rice Collin (2018) „Idealized models, holistic distortions, and universality“. Synthese 195 (6), 2795–2819.