Document Type
Article
Publication Title
Biology and Philosophy
Version
Author's Final Manuscript
Volume
31
Publication Date
2016
Abstract
This paper analyzes two ways idealized biological models produce factive scientific
understanding. I then argue that models can provide factive scientific understanding of a
phenomenon without providing an accurate representation of the (difference-making) features of
their real-world target system(s). My analysis of these cases also suggests that the debate over
scientific realism needs to investigate the factive scientific understanding produced by scientists’
use of idealized models rather than the accuracy of scientific models themselves.
DOI
http://doi.org/10.1007/s10539-015-9510-2
Citation
Rice, Collin. 2016. "Factive Scientific Understanding Without Accurate Representation." Biology and Philosophy, 31.1: 81-102.