Models, Simulations, and the Reduction of Complexity

Ulrich Gähde

ISBN 10: 311031360X / ISBN 13: 9783110313604

Editore: De Gruyter, DE, 2013

Riguardo questo articolo

Modern science is, to a large extent, a model-building activity. But how are models contructed? How are they related to theories and data? How do they explain complex scientific phenomena, and which role do computer simulations play here? These questions have kept philosophers of science busy for many years, and much work has been done to identify modeling as the central activity of theoretical science. At the same time, these questions have been addressed by methodologically-minded scientists, albeit from a different point of view. While philosophers typically have an eye on general aspects of scientific modeling, scientists typically take their own science as the starting point and are often more concerned with specific methodological problems. There is, however, also much common ground in middle, where philosophers and scientists can engage in a productive dialogue, as the present volume demonstrates. To do so, the editors of this volume have invited eight leading scientists from cosmology, climate science, social science, chemical engeneering and neuroscience to reflect upon their modeling work, and eight philosophers of science to provide a commentary.

Codice articolo LU-9783110313604

Dati bibliografici

• Titolo: Models, Simulations, and the Reduction of Complexity
• Editore: De Gruyter, DE
• Data di pubblicazione: 2013
• Lingua: Inglese
• ISBN 10: 311031360X
• ISBN 13: 9783110313604
• Rilegatura: Hardback
• Edizione: 1st.
• Condizione: New
• Dimensioni: 6,5 L x 0,75 A x 9,5 P (pollici) 6,5 pollici di larghezza per 0,75 pollici di altezza per 9,5 pollici di profondità
• Peso: 587 grammi

Descrizione articolo

Riassunto

Modern science is, to a large extent, a model-building activity. But how are models contructed? How are they related to theories and data? How do they explain complex scientific phenomena, and which role do computer simulations play here? These questions have kept philosophers of science busy for many years, and much work has been done to identify modeling as the central activity of theoretical science. At the same time, these questions have been addressed by methodologically-minded scientists, albeit from a different point of view. While philosophers typically have an eye on general aspects of scientific modeling, scientists typically take their own science as the starting point and are often more concerned with specific methodological problems. There is, however, also much common ground in middle, where philosophers and scientists can engage in a productive dialogue, as the present volume demonstrates. To do so, the editors of this volume have invited eight leading scientists from cosmology, climate science, social science, chemical engeneering and neuroscience to reflect upon their modeling work, and eight philosophers of science to provide a commentary.

Informazioni sull?autore

U. Gähde and J. H. Wolf, University of Hamburg; S. Hartmann, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität Munich.