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Simplicity and Simplification in Astrophysical Modeling

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 January 2022

Sibylle Anderl
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Abstract

With the ever-growing quality of observational data in astronomy, the complexity of astrophysical models has been increasing in turn. This trend raises the question: Are there still reasons to prefer simpler models if the final goal is an actual model-target comparison? I argue for two aspects in which astrophysical research may favor models having reduced complexity: first, to address the problem of determining the values of adjustable parameters and, second, to pave the way for a validation of the model based on the modeler’s understanding of the scope of the model and the critical processes on the target’s side.

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Philosophy of Science , Volume 85 , Issue 5 , December 2018 , pp. 819 - 831
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Copyright © The Philosophy of Science Association

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Footnotes

†

I would like to thank Melissa Jacquart, who organized the symposium Models and Computer Simulations in Astrophysics. Thanks also to her and to Barry Madore for stimulating discussions and encouraging feedback on earlier drafts of the article. I am particularly grateful for the thoughtful and positive suggestions made by the Proceedings volume editor Wendy Parker and the anonymous reviewers.

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