MODELS, FICTION, AND THE IMAGINATION

Arnon Levy*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

Abstract

Science and fiction seem to lie at opposite ends of the cognitive–epistemic spectrum. The former is typically seen as the study of hard, real-world facts in a rigorous manner. The latter is treated as an instrument of play and recreation, dealing in figments of the imagination. Initial appearances notwithstanding, several central features of scientific modeling in fact suggest a close connection with the imagination, and recent philosophers have developed detailed accounts of models that treat them, in one way or another, as akin to fictions. This chapter will critically discuss the fictions approach as an epistemology of scientific modeling.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationThe Routledge Handbook of Philosophy of Scientific Modeling
PublisherTaylor and Francis
Pages98-110
Number of pages13
ISBN (Electronic)9781040090411
ISBN (Print)9781032071510
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Jan 2024

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2025 selection and editorial matter Tarja Knuuttila, Natalia Carrillo, and Rami Koskinen.

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