About the book
The first comprehensive defense of an inferential conception of scientific representation with applications to art and epistemology.
Mauricio Suárez develops a conception of representation that delivers a compelling account of modeling practice. He begins by discussing the history and methodology of model building, charting the emergence of what he calls the modeling attitude, a nineteenth-century and fin de siècle development. Prominent cases of models, both historical and contemporary, are used as benchmarks for the accounts of representation considered throughout the book. After arguing against reductive naturalist theories of scientific representation, Suárez sets out his own account: a case for pluralism regarding the means of representation and minimalism regarding its constituents. He shows that scientists employ a variety of modeling relations in their representational practice—which helps them to assess the accuracy of their representations—while demonstrating that there is nothing metaphysically deep about the constituent relation that encompasses all these diverse means.
The book also probes the broad implications of Suárez’s inferential conception outside scientific modeling itself, covering analogies with debates about artistic representation and philosophical thought over the past several decades.
Editions of Inference and Representation
- Hardcover
- ISBN 9780226830025
- Paperback
- ISBN 9780226830049
- EBook
- ISBN 9780226830032
Read an Excerpt
The first comprehensive defense of an inferential conception of scientific representation with applications to art and epistemology.
Mauricio Suárez develops a conception of representation that delivers a compelling account of modeling practice. He begins by discussing the history and methodology of model building, charting the emergence of what he calls the modeling attitude, a nineteenth-century and fin de siècle development. Prominent cases of models, both historical and contemporary, are used as benchmarks for the accounts of representation considered throughout the book. After arguing against reductive naturalist theories of scientific representation, Suárez sets out his own account: a case for pluralism regarding the means of representation and minimalism regarding its constituents. He shows that scientists employ a variety of modeling relations in their representational practice—which helps them to assess the accuracy of their representations—while demonstrating that there is nothing metaphysically deep about the constituent relation that encompasses all these diverse means.
The book also probes the broad implications of Suárez’s inferential conception outside scientific modeling itself, covering analogies with debates about artistic representation and philosophical thought over the past several decades.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Inference and Representation about?
The first comprehensive defense of an inferential conception of scientific representation with applications to art and epistemology.
Mauricio Suárez develops a conception of representation that delivers a compelling account of modeling practice. He begins by discussing the history and methodology of model building, charting the emergence of what he calls the modeling attitude, a nineteenth-century and fin de siècle development. Prominent cases of models, both historical and contemporary, are used as benchmarks for the accounts of representation considered throughout the book. After arguing against reductive naturalist theories of scientific representation, Suárez sets out his own account: a case for pluralism regarding the means of representation and minimalism regarding its constituents. He shows that scientists employ a variety of modeling relations in their representational practice—which helps them to assess the accuracy of their representations—while demonstrating that there is nothing metaphysically deep about the constituent relation that encompasses all these diverse means.
The book also probes the broad implications of Suárez’s inferential conception outside scientific modeling itself, covering analogies with debates about artistic representation and philosophical thought over the past several decades.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Inference and Representation?
Mathematics and Science > Science: general issues
Where can I read a sample of Inference and Representation?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780226830025
How long is Inference and Representation and how many pages does it have?
Inference and Representation has 352 page(s)
Who is/are the Author/s of the book Inference and Representation?
Mauricio Suárez
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
Inference and Representation is available as hardcover(ISBN 9780226830025) and paperback(ISBN 9780226830049) and ebook(ISBN 9780226830032)