Model Pluralism. Issue 2 (March 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Veit, Walter
• Other Names: Harp Randall guest-editor.; Henderson David guest-editor.; Khalifa Kareem guest-editor.; Risjord Mark guest-editor.; Roth Paul A. guest-editor.; Turner Steven guest-editor.
• Is Part Of: Philosophy of the social sciences. Volume 50:Issue 2(2020)
• Page Start: 91
• Page End: 114
• Publication Date: 2020-03
• Subjects: modeling -- models -- model-based science -- pluralism -- idealization -- methodology; Social sciences -- Periodicals; Social sciences -- Methodology -- Periodicals; Sciences sociales -- Périodiques; Sciences sociales -- Méthodologie -- Périodiques; 300.1
• DOI: 10.1177/0048393119894897
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0048-3931

Abstract

This paper introduces and defends an account of model-based science that I dub model pluralism. I argue that despite a growing awareness in the philosophy of science literature of the multiplicity, diversity, and richness of models and modeling practices, more radical conclusions follow from this recognition than have previously been inferred. Going against the tendency within the literature to generalize from single models, I explicate and defend the following two core theses: (i) any successful analysis of models must target sets of models, their multiplicity of functions within science, and their scientific context and history and (ii) for almost any aspect x of phenomenon y, scientists require multiple models to achieve scientific goal z .