Models and Inferences in Science

By: Emiliano Ippoliti and Fabio Sterpetti and Thomas Nickles

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Synopsis: The book answers long-standing questions on scientific modeling andinference across multiple perspectives and disciplines, including logic,mathematics, physics and medicine. The different chapters cover a variety ofissues, such as the role models play in scientific practice; the way scienceshapes our concept of models; ways of modeling the pursuit of scientificknowledge; the relationship between our concept of models and our concept ofscience. The book also discusses models and scientific explanations; models inthe semantic view of theories; the applicability of mathematical models to thereal world and their effectiveness; the links between models and inferences;and models as a means for acquiring new knowledge. It analyzes differentexamples of models in physics, biology, mathematics and engineering. Writtenfor researchers and graduate students, it provides a cross-disciplinaryreference guide to the notion and the use of models and inferences in science.