Abstract

BORGE, Bruno. Models and representation in Bas Van Fraassen's empiricist structuralism. Prax. filos. [online]. 2015, n.41, pp.27-42. ISSN 0120-4688.

The problem of how a theoretical model -i.e., a mathematical entity- can represent something in nature is central to van Fraassen's Empiricist Structuralism (ES). His solution is to identify an indexical element in every assertion of the form "X represents Y". This paper aims to show that: (a) that problem is not an obstacle for realism more than it is for ES; (b) van Fraassen's solution makes the ESist face a fatal dilemma: either he can't account for some of the most basic assumptions of his position, or he must concede too much to realism

Keywords : empiricist structuralism; constructive empiricism; scientific representation; models.

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