THE EPISTEMIC ROLE OF FICTION IN SCIENTIFIC MODELS
THE EPISTEMIC ROLE OF FICTION IN SCIENTIFIC MODELS
Author(s): Ana KatićSubject(s): Epistemology, Aesthetics, Philosophy of Science, Theory of Literature, Sociology of Literature
Published by: Filozofsko društvo Srbije
Keywords: digital organisms; artificial evolution; complexity; two types of fiction;
Summary/Abstract: Giere’s analysis of the epistemic role of fiction in science and literature is the representative of antifictionists. Our research finds the three inconsistencies in his main paper regarding the comparison of fiction in scientific models and literary works. We analyze his argument and offer our solution to the issue favoring the perspective of fictionalism. Further, we support a typological differentiation of false representation in science into fictional and fictitious. The value of this differentiation we demonstrate by giving the example of digital organisms in system biology. The paper aims to help better understanding of fiction in science and to avoid the oversimplification of literary fiction.
Journal: Theoria
- Issue Year: 63/2020
- Issue No: 3
- Page Range: 5-16
- Page Count: 12
- Language: English