Models

Question 1

4 types of models

Answer 1

1. data models
2. mathematical models
3. concrete models
4. simulation models

Question 2

qualitative to quantitative

Answer 2

world we see is qualitative world without numbers, but, we can add quantitative feature to binary relations (e.g. heavier then). Has certain nice properties, like irreflexive, anti-symmetric, transitive, incomplete). Some relations do not have this, like love.

Question 3

data model

Answer 3

data structure, specification story. Target is always observed phenomenon.
Date model = quantitative model of certain features of qualitative phenomenon

Question 4

mathematical model

Answer 4

polytuple having following items:
base sets
family of subsets
properties of some base-set members
relations between base-set members
operations on base sets
mappings or functions of base sets
special elements (constants)
All optional, except for base sets
Mathematical model = mathematical structure G & specification story

Question 5

Concrete model

Answer 5

existing pieces of matter that have targets in reality. e.g. scale models.

Question 6

Simulation models

Answer 6

simulations simulate something, a process in reality that takes time. simulation model is run on a computer. simulations can test the mathematical model which they are based on. new data gathered can be used to better understand G.

Question 7

idealizations

Answer 7

simplifications, like a map, discard & distort properties.

Question 8

subspecies idealization

Answer 8

Aristotelian idealizations: truncations, properties of target are discarded
Galilean idealizations: distortions, features of properties are distorted, distorted properties are used in model
Newtonian idealizations: mathematical approximation, mathematically complicated expressions are simplified

Question 9

scientific perspectivism

Answer 9

every accepted model in science gets things right in some respects to some degree

Question 10

relations between models & theories

Answer 10

1. models as mediators between theories and the phenomena (models are application of T to some target, include things that are not deducible from T)
2. models as building blocks of science –> theory is a family of models/ mathematical structures, characterized by a predicate in axiomatic set-theory + specification story
   Mathematical theory-structure is model of the target, which evokes/ causes phenomenon?