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Frontiers of Philosophy in China

ISSN 1673-3436

ISSN 1673-355X(Online)

CN 11-5743/B

Postal Subscription Code 80-983

Front. Philos. China    2015, Vol. 10 Issue (4) : 647-667    https://doi.org/10.3868/s030-004-015-0051-5
Research Article
Invariance and Scientific Representation
LIU Chuang()
Department of Philosophy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, U.S.A.
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Abstract

This paper argues for an invariantist view of scientific representation. First, it introduces the deflationary view that sees models in science as no different in essence from symbolic vehicles, which are derivative and adopted pragmatically, as a matter of convention. After analyzing this deflationary view and pointing out its shortcomings, it argues that representations play at least two radically different roles: one purely symbolic and therefore conventional, and the other epistemic. Finally, it argues that although it is correct to say that all particular external vehicles are introduced via some conventions, they get their jobs done because they are invariant with respect to particular conventions.

Keywords scientific representation      model      representational vehicle      idealization      invariance      deflationism     
Issue Date: 26 January 2016
 Cite this article:   
LIU Chuang. Invariance and Scientific Representation[J]. Front. Philos. China, 2015, 10(4): 647-667.
 URL:  
https://academic.hep.com.cn/fpc/EN/10.3868/s030-004-015-0051-5
https://academic.hep.com.cn/fpc/EN/Y2015/V10/I4/647
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