On Abstraction and Idealization in Molecular Biology

Result code in IS VaVaI

<a href="https://www.isvavai.cz/riv?ss=detail&h=RIV%2F00216208%3A11210%2F19%3A10396383" target="_blank" >RIV/00216208:11210/19:10396383 - isvavai.cz</a>

Result on the web

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DOI - Digital Object Identifier

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Result language

angličtina

Original language name

On Abstraction and Idealization in Molecular Biology

Original language description

Abstraction and idealization are two notions that are most often discussed in the context of assumptions employed in the process of model-building. However, closer inspection shows that the standard construal of these notions turns out to be problematic. I further argue against a recent attempt to pick a fight with the mechanistic account of explanation. As the objection goes, the mechanistic view of explanation cannot account for the practices of idealization. Using an example from molecular biology that the critics themselves rely on, I argue that the objection is misguided because the critics fail to adequately characterize both abstraction and idealization. Finally, I caution others to pay more attention when speaking of abstraction and idealization in a context where these concepts play a significant role, such as the one on mechanistic explanation. Arguably, this is important as some have embraced the criticism without realizing that it builds on confused notions.

Czech name

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Czech description

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Type

O - Miscellaneous

CEP classification

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OECD FORD branch

60301 - Philosophy, History and Philosophy of science and technology

Project

<a href="/en/project/GA19-04236S" target="_blank" >GA19-04236S: Simplifying assumptions and non-causal explanations</a><br>

Continuities

P - Projekt vyzkumu a vyvoje financovany z verejnych zdroju (s odkazem do CEP)

Publication year

2019

Confidentiality

S - Úplné a pravdivé údaje o projektu nepodléhají ochraně podle zvláštních právních předpisů