Models and Experiments? An Exploration

Citation: Wimsatt, W. (2015) Models and Experiments? An Exploration. Biol Philos 30, 293-298 (RSS)
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Summary

This paper is review of Weiberg’s book of Simulation and Similarity: Using Models to Understand the Word which is about the nature of models and their use, especially, the book deals with discussion of similarity of how models related to the world. Wimsatt agrees with most of Weiberg’s assertions and thinks that only weak part of the book is that the part of modeling and related experiment practices is too limited despites of their importance so Wimsatt focuses on the model and experiment in this article.

Weisberg thought that experimental science proceeds by developing an experimental design into a related series of experiments and these experiments use model organisms and they also interact with them in standardized ways. Wimsatt asserts that simplification of linkages of model and natural phenomena in the laboratory makes more sense and certain standardized ways of dealing with the data or criteria are need for recombination which is one of the crucial factors in the theoretical modeling.

Experimental design can give structure of explanation of the nature phenomenon because the design considers a set of causal variables while systematically controlling others and this characteristic is similar with modeling. Not only has the logic of the experiment, the experimental design had also the choice of model organism. However, difference between models and experiment is also existed which might come from connection with the fidelity requirements (2 requirements: predictive fit with natural world and correspondences between variables to the model or experimental design and those in nature). The difference is details with maintaining and preparing organisms for experiment corresponds to details in implementing model due to too-idealized view of models that neglects quite substantial gaps between theory and practice.