Bas van Fraassen’s Approach to Representation and Models in Science (Synthese Library Book 368)

This Book Analyzes Bas Van Fraassen's Characterization Of Representation And Models In Science. In This Regard, It Presents The Philosophical Coordinates Of His Approach And Pays Attention To His Structural Empiricism As A Framework For His Views On Scientific Representations And Models. These Are Developed Here Through Two New Contributions Made By Van Fraassen. In Addition, There Are Analyses Of The Relation Between Models And Reality In His Approach, Where The Complexity Of This Conception Is Considered In Detail. Furthermore, There Is An Examination Of Scientific Explanation And Epistemic Values Judgments. This Volume Includes A Wealth Of Bibliographical Information On His Philosophy And Relevant Philosophical Issues. Bas Van Fraassen Is A Key Figure In Contemporary Philosophy Of Science, As The Prestigious Hempel Award Shows. His Views On Scientific Representation Offer New Ideas On How It Should Be Characterized, And His Conception Of Models Shows A Novelty That Goes Beyond Other Empiricists' Approaches Of Recent Times. Both Aspects - The Characterization Of Scientific Representation And The Conception Of Models In Science - Are Part Of A Deliberate Attempt To Forge A Structural Empiricism, An Alternative To Structural Realism Based On An Elaborated Version Of Empiricism. Wenceslao J. Gonzalez, Editor. Includes Bibliographical References And Indexes. This book analyzes Bas van Fraassen's characterization of representation and models in science. In this regard, it presents the philosophical coordinates of his approach and pays attention to his structural empiricism as a framework for his views on scientific representations and models. These are developed here through two new contributions made by van Fraassen. In addition, there are analyses of the relation between models and reality in his approach, where the complexity of this conception is considered in detail. Furthermore, there is an examination of scientific explanation and epistemic values judgments. This volume includes a wealth of bibliographical information on his philosophy and relevant philosophical issues. Bas van Fraassen is a key figure in contemporary philosophy of science, as the prestigious Hempel Award shows. His views on scientific representation offer new ideas on how it should be characterized, and his conception of models shows a novelty that goes beyond other empiricists' approaches of recent times. Both aspects - the characterization of scientific representation and the conception of models in science - are part of a deliberate attempt to forge a "structural empiricism", an alternative to structural realism based on an elaborated version of empiricism.-- Source other than Library of Congress This book analyzes Bas van Fraassen's characterization of representation and models in science. In this regard, it presents the philosophical coordinates of his approach and pays attention to his structural empiricism as a framework for his views on scientific representations and models. These are developed here through two new contributions made by van Fraassen. In addition, there are analyses of the relation between models and reality in his approach, where the complexity of this conception is considered in detail. Furthermore, there is an examination of scientific explanation and epistemic values judgments. This volume includes a wealth of bibliographical information on his philosophy and relevant philosophical issues. Bas van Fraassen is a key figure in contemporary philosophy of science, as the prestigious Hempel Award shows. His views on scientific representation offer new ideas on how it should be characterized, and his conception of models shows a novelty that goes beyond other empiricists' approaches of recent times. Both aspects -- the characterization of scientific representation and the conception of models in science -- are part of a deliberate attempt to forge a {esc}(3z{esc}(Bstructural empiricism, {esc}(3y{esc}(B an alternative to structural realism based on an elaborated version of empiricism Front Matter....Pages i-xiii Front Matter....Pages 1-1 On Representation and Models in Bas van Fraassen’s Approach....Pages 3-37 Scientific Activity as an Interpretative Practice. Empiricism, Constructivism and Pragmatism....Pages 39-61 Models and Phenomena: Bas van Fraassen’s Empiricist Structuralism....Pages 63-76 Front Matter....Pages 77-77 The Criterion of Empirical Grounding in the Sciences....Pages 79-100 On Representing Evidence....Pages 101-118 Front Matter....Pages 119-119 Scientific Models of Abduction: The Role of Non Classical Logic....Pages 121-141 The View from Within and the View from Above : Looking at van Fraassen’s Perrin....Pages 143-166 Front Matter....Pages 167-167 Explanation as a Pragmatic Virtue: Bas van Fraassen’s Model....Pages 169-187 Values, Choices, and Epistemic Stances....Pages 189-211 Back Matter....Pages 213-233