Questions tagged [modelling]
28 questions
24
votes
11 answers
Isn't every theory or model wrong?
I'm currently in class 12 and I was about different models of atoms in my school chemistry book and there were like 3 or 4 atomic models Rutherford's model, Thompson's model , Bohr's model then finally Quantum Mechanical model.
After reading every…
Shardul
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12
votes
5 answers
Is the notion of "Complex System" a philosophy of science? Is it the opposite of Reductionism? Is it related to Holism?
I have tried to come to terms with the notion of "complex systems" of which I heard in one of the lessons at school though without too much depth. I grasp that a complex system is such that the behavior of the elements in the system do not yield…
Luna
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6
votes
5 answers
On the connection between science and reality
My question is basically targetting various sciences that we use to understnad the real world and how we form laws in them.
For example, in physics, we first see sometthing in the real world. Let it be Newton seeing the apple fall down or anything…
Aveer Singh
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5
votes
2 answers
How do we use topology to model knowledge?
The topology of knowledge: In this application, topological spaces are used to model the structure of knowledge, where the open sets correspond to coherent bodies of knowledge and the closure operation represents the process of inference.
I've heard…
user37389
5
votes
4 answers
What is the value of a formal model in science?
In science we often use formal models (by which I mean a mathematical structure composed of assumptions, variables, and equations, which might be solved/simulated to derive analytical insights and/or testable hypotheses). If the objective is to…
luchonacho
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4
votes
1 answer
In logic, which came first: the semantic approach or the syntactic approach?
Logic is today developing in many, very different directions. But the basic distinction between the semantic approach (truth, "⊨") and the syntactic one (provability, "⊢") is still important and taught in all basic logic courses.
Which of these two…
pglpm
- 181
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4
votes
3 answers
Model vs Theory: Meanings reversed in Alfred Tarski vs Julian Jaynes?
In my reading of Alfred Tarski's model theory, a theory is a formal system whose sentences are without inherent meaning, but which becomes meaningful (e.g. having truth values) only after a model provides an interpretation of its sentences as…
James Bowery
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3
votes
1 answer
Is there a philosophical model of sensations-emotions-thoughts?
Ten years ago, I read Vankatesh Rao's blog post The Gervais Principle. It blew my mind, as it did the minds of many other people. It quickly became Rao's most popular blog post entry, prompting a series of blog posts on the same subject and an…
Ram Rachum
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2
votes
1 answer
Question regarding the stipulated 'domain of discourse' for models of first-order sentences
Assume 'S' is a first-order sentence about a subject 'Z'.
When one stipulates a Model for 'S' with a domain 'D' does one always assume that the domain will contain all the objects within the subject 'Z'?
E.g. Let S = 'All lizards like flies'
Then…
help-me
- 79
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2
votes
1 answer
Multigraphs, hypergraphs, and the epistemic regress
Some definitions (from what I can tell):
A multigraph is a graph where a node can connect via multiple edges.
A hypergraph is a graph where a single edge can connect more than two nodes. Alternatively, there are nodeless edges available in this…
user40843
2
votes
1 answer
What is the difference between a model and algorithm?
I would say that an algorithm is a private case of model because it describes how something generally works --- just mathematically.
chichorozov
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2
votes
3 answers
Philosophy of science: Determinism and indeterminism in statistical methods of science
A variable is modeled as a random variable in a statistical model, often without reference to the question of whether it is random in reality. For example, when the outcome of a coin flip is modeled as a random variable, no one asks the question…
Sam
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2
votes
0 answers
Has there been any positive influence in current philosophical thinking which comes from Hans Vaihinger's 'As If'' Philosophy?
Hans Vaihinger- Born: Sep 25, 1852 · Nehren, Germany
Died: Dec 18, 1933 · Halle, Germany
Written works: The Philosophy of 'As if' · Die Philosophie Des ALS OB: System Der Theoretischen, Praktischen Und Religiosen Fiktionen Der Menschen Auf Grund…
user37981
2
votes
4 answers
Terminology question: Reductionism top-down vs. ...what, bottom-up?
I want to focus on a terminology point rather than re-fighting the reductionism war. But I think I need to spell out the context for my question. I'm trying to be fair to both sides, and this is as concise as I've been able to get it. Everything in…
keshlam
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2
votes
4 answers
Influence of irrelevant details on science
What are the assumptions/philosophical framework that allow us to dismiss the irrelevant details when formulating and testing a scientific theory? For example, somebody might claim that the laws of electromagnetism would be different, if tested in…
Roger V.
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