French, SRD (2021) Identity Conditions, Idealisations and Isomorphisms: A Defence of the Semantic Approach. Synthese, 198 (Sup. Iss. 24). pp. 5897-5917. ISSN 0039-7857
Abstract
In this paper I begin with a recent challenge to the Semantic Approach and identify an underlying assumption, namely that identity conditions for theories should be provided. Drawing on previous work, I suggest that this demand should be resisted and that the Semantic Approach should be seen as a philosophical device that we may use to represent certain features of scientific practice. Focussing on the partial structures variant of that approach, I then consider a further challenge that arises from a concern with the role of idealisations in that practice. I argue that the partial structures approach is capable of meeting this challenge and I conclude with some broader observations about the role of such formal accounts within the philosophy of science.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | (c) 2017, Springer Science+Business Media B.V. This is an author produced version of a paper published in Synthese. Uploaded in accordance with the publisher's self-archiving policy. |
Keywords: | Idealisation in science; Identity of theories; Partial structures; Semantic approach |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Leeds |
Academic Units: | The University of Leeds > Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Cultures (Leeds) > School of Philosophy, Religion and History of Science (Leeds) > School of Philosophy (Leeds) |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Publications |
Date Deposited: | 03 Aug 2018 13:02 |
Last Modified: | 02 Feb 2022 15:11 |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | Springer Nature |
Identification Number: | 10.1007/s11229-017-1564-z |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:134057 |