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Towards the formal study of models in the non-formal sciences

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Summary

I. The function of models in the empirical sciences

II. Structure and purpose: conditions of a structural nature which models should satisfy in order to accomplish their function.

III. Generalisation and specialisation of the classical definition of model, in view of the above requirements:

  1. (a)

    the algebraic model concept

  2. (b)

    the semantic model concept

  3. (c)

    the syntactical model concept

IV. Attempt towards reunification: the concept of model on a pragmatic basis.

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References

  1. R. C. Braithwaite: The Nature of theoretical Concepts and the Role of Models in an advanced Science (Revue Internationale de Philosophie, 1954, fasc. 1–2).

  2. M. B. Hesse: Models in Physics (British Journal for the Philosophy of Science, 1954, pp. 198–214).

  3. E. H. Hutten: The role of Models in Physics (BJPS, 1954, 284–301).

  4. Rudolf Carnap; Introduction to Semantics, Harvard University Press 1946.

  5. John G. Kemeny: A New Approach to Semantics, Part I (Journal for Symbolic Logic, 1956).

  6. For information about dimensional analysis, consult: N. R. Campbell: Foundations of Science (ch XIV and XV) and P. W. Bridgman: Dimensional Analysis.

  7. For information about approximate geometry, consult Karl Menger: Rice Institute Pamphlets; 1940: Geometry without points, and the same author: Géométrie Générale, Mémorial des Sciences mathématiques, 1950.

  8. A. Tarski: Contributions to the Theory of Models (Proceedings Kon. Ned. Ak. .Wet., 1954).

  9. A. Ross Ashby: An Introduction to Cybernetics (Wiley 1957) pp. 102–109, ‘homomorphic machines’.

  10. Paul Hertz; Principles of Mechanics (Dover Publ., par. 418–428 Dynamic models).

  11. Herbert A. Simon: Definable Terms and Primitives in Axiom Systems (The Axiomatic Method in Geometry and Physics, pp 443–453).

  12. Alfred Tarski: Logic, Semantics and Metamathematics, (Oxford 1956).

  13. See Kemeny op: cit. and Tarski op. cit.

  14. Tarski, Mostowski and Robinson: Undecidable Theories (Amsterdam, 1952)

  15. Richard Martin: Toward a Systematic Pragmatics (Amsterdam, 1959).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Universities of Gent and Brussels, Belgium

    Leo Apostel

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  1. Leo Apostel
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Apostel, L. Towards the formal study of models in the non-formal sciences. Synthese 12, 125–161 (1960). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00485092

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00485092

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