Philosophy

Contemporary debates in philosophy of science

Speaker: Kirsten Walsh (University of Nottingham)

Title: Modelling as Proxy Isolation Testing in Newton's Principia

Abstract: Modelling is currently a hot topic in the philosophy of science. Philosophers of science are interested in characterising and understanding modelling as a kind of scientific strategy. Some of this recent work offers promising ways of understanding historical cases (e.g. Godfrey-Smith 2006; Levy 2012, 2013; Weisberg 2007, 2012). For example, characterising Newton as a modeller, in Michael Weisberg’s sense, helps make sense of Newton’s refusal to underwrite his theory of universal gravitation with a causal mechanism. In our paper ‘Newton on Islandworld’ (forthcoming), Adrian Currie and I discuss Newton’s modelling strategy in the Principia. Unable to isolate and test the effects of universal gravitation on individual planets, he instead modelled his laws of motion mathematically, starting with a one-body system and then increasing the complexity of the system by adjusting parameters and adding bodies, one step at a time. This enabled Newton to treat celestial mechanics as a complex series of pair-wise interactions—giving him purchase on a system on which he could not directly intervene. We characterise Newton’s modelling strategy as ‘proxy isolation testing’—Newton carried out series of proxy isolation tests, with his mathematical system acting in place of real celestial objects. I now draw on recent accounts of modelling to explore the idea that proxy isolation testing is an illuminating way of characterising some cases of modelling.

Contact

The seminars are organised by the philosophy of science research group. For more information or to find out about future events, please contact Alasdair Richmond.

Alasdair Richmond

Philosophy of science research group

 

Nov 02 2017 -

Contemporary debates in philosophy of science

2017-11-02: Kirsten Walsh (University of Nottingham)

Room 1.17, Dugald Stewart Building, 3 Charles Street, Edinburgh, EH8 9AD