· 2017
Idealization and the Aims of Science
- 636citations
- 2017year
Short summary
Science prioritizes understanding over absolute truth, using false idealizations to achieve this goal, which disconnects scientific findings from ontological claims.
AI-generated from the title and abstract; the full text is not read.
Key points
- Idealizations are pervasive and beneficial in scientific representations.
- The primary epistemic aim of science is understanding, not just truth.
- Understanding can be enhanced by accepting and utilizing idealizations that sacrifice truth.
- This shifts focus away from scientific results implying ontological or causal truths.
AI-generated from the title and abstract; the full text is not read.
Abstract
Idealizations are rampant and unchecked in science. That is, they exist throughout our best representations, and there is little focus on eliminating them or controlling their influence. This is because idealizations, despite their falsity, play a positive representational role. This account of idealization motivates a reconstrual of the aims of science. Science has a variety of epistemic and non-epistemic aims, and the ultimate epistemic aim is understanding, which can be furthered by sacrificing truth. The deemphasis of scientific truth drives a wedge between scientific results and any metaphysical implications regarding ontology, causation, or levels of organization.
The authors' abstract, as published at the source., 2017 · DOI ↗
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Field: History and Philosophy of Science
History and Philosophy of ScienceArts and Humanities