Models

Question 1

Difference between model and theory (Bohr model)

Answer 1

GENERAL:

• theories represent abstract/general features, models might also represent specific targets
• theories evaluated by their truth, models evaluated conditional on their purpose

BOHR THEORY:

1) One has reasons to believe that theory is not false
2) The object of the theory is governed by principles stated in theory

BOHR MODEL:

1) Provides approximation of object in question
2) Alternative representations of the same object useful for other purposes exist

Both theories and models represent parts of the target

Question 2

Core uses of/when to use scientific models

Answer 2

Models are used because investigating the target directly would be:

• Physically impossible or too costly.
• Legally or morally prohibited.
• Cognitively too demanding, so that we instead investigate a simplified model.

Question 3

isolating model

Answer 3

• single out one aspect of the target (ignoring all others)

- they represent the workings of that factor accurately

Question 4

! what does it mean that a model is true

Answer 4

That it is an accurate representation

Question 5

! Wright brothers example over how isolating models can be said to be true

Answer 5

true…..?? that it is accurate?
They didn’t create a flyable model right away, they began with isolating models like wind tunnels and smaller scale models of smaller components

Question 6

Epistemic virtues for scientific models

Answer 6

precision, similarity, transparency, simplicity,

(these as well???)…predictability, explanatory power, closeness to truth, degree of fit with observations, coherence…

Question 7

Why can scientific models only satisfy some epistemic virtues, but not all, at the same time?

Answer 7

Increasing one epistemic virtue in a model often means decreasing another one

similarity—–simplicity
precision—–transparency

Building a model means finding the trade-off best for your purpose!

Question 8

What is the internal validity of a model?

Answer 8

When errors are avoided: correct proof, correct programming

I.V. less of a problem for models than for experiments

Question 9

What is the external validity of a model?

Answer 9

When assumptions in the model are similar to properties of the target

(E.V. a problem for all models but only for some experiments)

Question 10

! What is the “target” or “real world target” of a model?

Answer 10

The object of attention/focus