Models as Make-Believe [electronic resource] : Imagination, Fiction and Scientific Representation /
Toon, Adam.author.
Scientists often try to understand the world by building simplified and idealised models of it. Adam Toon develops a new approach to scientific models by comparing them to the dolls and toy trucks of children's imaginative games, and offers a unified framework to solve difficult metaphysical problems and help to make sense of scientific practice.
Description based upon print version of record.
Cover; Tittle; Copyright; Dedication; Contents; List of Figures; Series Editor's Foreword; Preface; Acknowledgements; Introduction; 1 Models and Representation; 1.1 Models; 1.1.1 Physical models; 1.1.2 Theoretical modelling; 1.2 The ontology of theoretical modelling; 1.2.1 The problem: missing systems; 1.2.2 Description-fitting objects: abstract objects; 1.2.3 Description-fitting objects: fictional characters; 1.3 The problem of scientific representation; 1.3.1 The problem; 1.3.2 Misrepresentation; 1.3.3 Two kinds of solution; 1.3.4 Does the problem exist?; 1.3.5 Stipulation and salt shakers
1.4 Conclusion2 What Models Are; 2.1 Walton's theory: representation and make-believe; 2.1.1 Props and games; 2.1.2 Representations; 2.2 Models as make-believe; 2.2.1 Physical models; 2.2.2 Theoretical modelling; 2.3 Make-believe and the ontology of modelling; 2.3.1 Doing without description-fitting objects; 2.3.2 Learning about theoretical models; 2.3.3 Talking about theoretical models; 2.4 The indirect fictions view; 2.4.1 Direct and indirect views of theoretical modelling; 2.4.2 Make-believe and the indirect fictions view?; 2.4.3 Deferring the problem?; 2.5 Conclusion
3 How Models Represent3.1 Make-believe and model-representation; 3.1.1 The account; 3.1.2 Make-believe and salt shakers; 3.1.3 Make-believe, misrepresentation and realism; 3.1.4 Make-believe and similarity; 3.2 Models and works of fiction; 3.3 Models without objects; 3.3.1 Problem cases; 3.3.2 What is the problem?; 3.3.3 Existing accounts and models without objects; 3.3.4 Solving the problem; 3.4 Conclusion; 4 Carbon in Cardboard; 4.1 Chemistry in space; 4.1.1 Isomerism and 'chemical structure'; 4.1.2 Optical activity and 'absolute isomers'; 4.1.3 Van't Hoff and the tetrahedral carbon atom
4.1.4 The reception of van't Hoff's work4.2 Building molecules; 4.2.1 Models before van't Hoff; 4.2.2 Carbon in cardboard; 4.2.3 The role of models; 4.3 How chemical models represent; 4.4 Conclusion; 5 Playing with Molecules; 5.1 Molecular models in use; 5.1.1 The study; 5.1.2 Talking about models; 5.1.3 Looking at models; 5.1.4 Manipulating models; 5.1.5 Play, pretence and realism; 5.2 Molecular models as props; 5.3 Playing with molecules; 5.3.1 Participation and depiction; 5.3.2 Manipulating molecules; 5.3.3 Seeing molecules; 5.3.4 Touching molecules; 5.4 Imagined experiments
5.5 ConclusionConclusion; Notes; References; Index
Includes bibliographical references and index.
Scientists often try to understand the world by building simplified and idealised models of it. Adam Toon develops a new approach to scientific models by comparing them to the dolls and toy trucks of children's imaginative games, and offers a unified framework to solve difficult metaphysical problems and help to make sense of scientific practice.
Philosophy and science.
Aesthetics.
History.
Philosophy of Science.
Aesthetics.
History of Science.