Scientific Theories, Models and the Semantic Approach
According to the semantic view, a theory is characterized by a class of models. In this paper, we examine critically some of the assumptions that underlie this approach. First, we recall that models are models of something. Thus we cannot leave completely aside the axiomatization of the theories und...
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina
2007-12-01
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| Series: | Principia: An International Journal of Epistemology |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.periodicos.ufsc.br/index.php/principia/article/view/16488/15051 |
| _version_ | 1818164090041794560 |
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| author | Décio Krause Otávio Bueno |
| author_facet | Décio Krause Otávio Bueno |
| author_sort | Décio Krause |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | According to the semantic view, a theory is characterized by a class of models. In this paper, we examine critically some of the assumptions that underlie this approach. First, we recall that models are models of something. Thus we cannot leave completely aside the axiomatization of the theories under consideration, nor can we ignore the metamathematics used to elaborate these models, for changes in the metamathematics often impose restrictions on the resulting models. Second, based on a parallel between van Fraassen’s modal interpretation of quantum mechanics and Skolem’s relativism regarding set-theoretic concepts, we introduce a distinction between relative and absolute concepts in the context of the models of a scientific theory. And we discuss the significance of that distinction. Finally, by focusing on contemporary particle physics, we raise the question: since there is no general accepted unification of the parts of the standard model (namely, QED and QCD), we have no theory, in the usual sense of the term. This poses a difficulty: if there is no theory, how can we speak of its models? What are the latter models of? We conclude by noting that it is unclear that the semantic view can be applied to contemporary physical theories. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-11T16:59:55Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-59ba25c94a324980b1baced37d7bc431 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1414-4247 1808-1711 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-11T16:59:55Z |
| publishDate | 2007-12-01 |
| publisher | Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Principia: An International Journal of Epistemology |
| spelling | doaj.art-59ba25c94a324980b1baced37d7bc4312022-12-22T00:57:51ZengUniversidade Federal de Santa CatarinaPrincipia: An International Journal of Epistemology1414-42471808-17112007-12-01112187201Scientific Theories, Models and the Semantic ApproachDécio KrauseOtávio BuenoAccording to the semantic view, a theory is characterized by a class of models. In this paper, we examine critically some of the assumptions that underlie this approach. First, we recall that models are models of something. Thus we cannot leave completely aside the axiomatization of the theories under consideration, nor can we ignore the metamathematics used to elaborate these models, for changes in the metamathematics often impose restrictions on the resulting models. Second, based on a parallel between van Fraassen’s modal interpretation of quantum mechanics and Skolem’s relativism regarding set-theoretic concepts, we introduce a distinction between relative and absolute concepts in the context of the models of a scientific theory. And we discuss the significance of that distinction. Finally, by focusing on contemporary particle physics, we raise the question: since there is no general accepted unification of the parts of the standard model (namely, QED and QCD), we have no theory, in the usual sense of the term. This poses a difficulty: if there is no theory, how can we speak of its models? What are the latter models of? We conclude by noting that it is unclear that the semantic view can be applied to contemporary physical theories.http://www.periodicos.ufsc.br/index.php/principia/article/view/16488/15051Semantic viewSkolem’s paradoxmodal interpretationtheoriesparticle physics. |
| spellingShingle | Décio Krause Otávio Bueno Scientific Theories, Models and the Semantic Approach Principia: An International Journal of Epistemology Semantic view Skolem’s paradox modal interpretation theories particle physics. |
| title | Scientific Theories, Models and the Semantic Approach |
| title_full | Scientific Theories, Models and the Semantic Approach |
| title_fullStr | Scientific Theories, Models and the Semantic Approach |
| title_full_unstemmed | Scientific Theories, Models and the Semantic Approach |
| title_short | Scientific Theories, Models and the Semantic Approach |
| title_sort | scientific theories models and the semantic approach |
| topic | Semantic view Skolem’s paradox modal interpretation theories particle physics. |
| url | http://www.periodicos.ufsc.br/index.php/principia/article/view/16488/15051 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT deciokrause scientifictheoriesmodelsandthesemanticapproach AT otaviobueno scientifictheoriesmodelsandthesemanticapproach |