Epistemic Contributions of Models: Conditions for Propositional Learning

Claveau, François and Melissa Vergara Fernandez (2015), Epistemic Contributions of Models: Conditions for Propositional Learning, Perspectives on Science 23 (4): 405-423.

Abstract

This article analyses the epistemic contributions of models by distinguishing three roles that they might play: an evidential role, a revealing role and a stimulating role. By using an account of learning based on the philosophical understanding of propositional knowledge as true justified belief, the paper provides the conditions to be fulfilled by a model in order to play a determined role. A case study of an economic model of the labour market—the DMP model—illustrates the usefulness of these conditions in articulating debates over the epistemic contributions of a given model.

This content has been updated on August 6th, 2019 at 15 h 20 min.