Scientific Representation

Provides a conceptual framework in which to understand the relationship between models and the parts of the world they represent.

James Nguyen (Author), Roman Frigg (Author)

9781009009157, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 1 September 2022

75 pages
22.9 x 15.2 x 0.5 cm, 0.134 kg

This Element presents a philosophical exploration of the notion of scientific representation. It does so by focussing on an important class of scientific representations, namely scientific models. Models are important in the scientific process because scientists can study a model to discover features of reality. But what does it mean for something to represent something else? This is the question discussed in this Element. The authors begin by disentangling different aspects of the problem of representation and then discuss the dominant accounts in the philosophical literature: the resemblance view and inferentialism. They find them both wanting and submit that their own preferred option, the so-called DEKI account, not only eschews the problems that beset these conceptions, but further provides a comprehensive answer to the question of how scientific representation works. This title is also available as Open Access on Cambridge Core.

1. Introduction
2. Resemblance and Representation
3. The Inferential Conception
4. The DEKI Account.

Subject Areas: History of science [PDX], Philosophy of science [PDA]