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The Model-Theoretic Approach in the Philosophy of Science

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 April 2022

Newton C. A. Da Costa  and
Steven French
Newton C. A. Da Costa
Affiliation:
Department of Philosophy, University of São Paulo
Steven French
Affiliation:
Department of Philosophy and Religion, Southeast Missouri State University
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Abstract

An introduction to the model-theoretic approach in the philosophy of science is given and it is argued that this program is further enhanced by the introduction of partial structures. It is then shown that this leads to a natural and intuitive account of both “iconic” and mathematical models and of the role of the former in science itself.

Type
Research Article
Information
Philosophy of Science , Volume 57 , Issue 2 , June 1990 , pp. 248 - 265
Copyright
Copyright © 1989 by the Philosophy of Science Association

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Footnotes

†

The authors would like to acknowledge the help and support of the Institute for Advanced Study of the University of São Paulo, the Centre of Logic, Epistemology and History of Science of the University of Campinas and, in the case of Steven French, the Brazilian National Council for Scientific and Technological Development, during the preparation and writing of this paper. We would also like to thank the two anonymous referees for their helpful suggestions and criticisms concerning an earlier draft of this paper.

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