Document Type

Article

Publication Title

Philosophy of Science

Version

Final Published Version

Volume

87

Publication Date

2020

Abstract

Most attempts to justify the use of idealized models to explain

appeal to the accuracy of the model with respect to difference-making causes.

In this paper, I argue for an alternative way to justify using idealized models

to explain that appeals to universality classes. In support of this view, I show

that scientific modelers seeking to explain stable limiting behaviors often

explicitly appeal to universality classes in order to justify their use of idealized

models to explain.

DOI

http://doi.org/10.1086/710623

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