An inferential and dynamic approach to modeling and understanding in biology

Authors

  • Rodrigo Lopez-Orellana CONICYT, Chile / Instituto de Estudios de la Ciencia y la Tecnología, Universidad de Salamanca, España http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3576-0136
  • Juan Redmond Universidad de Valparaíso, Chile
  • David Cortés-García Universidad del País Vasco, España

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.22370/rhv2019iss14pp315-334

Keywords:

understanding, models, explanation, representation, inferences, surrogate reasoning, biology

Abstract

This paper aims to propose an inferential and dynamic approach to understanding with models in biology. Understanding plays a central role in the practice of modeling. From its links with the other two central elements of scientific research, experimentation, and explanation, we show its epistemic relevance to the case of explanation in biology. Furthermore, by including the notion of understanding, we propose a non-referentialist perspective on scientific models, which is determined by their use.

Author Biography

Rodrigo Lopez-Orellana, CONICYT, Chile / Instituto de Estudios de la Ciencia y la Tecnología, Universidad de Salamanca, España

Doctorando en Lógica y Filosofía de la Ciencia, Universidad de Salamanca, España. Magíster en Filosofía, Mención en Lógica y Filosofía de las Ciencias, por la Universidad de Valparaíso. Profesor de Filosofía, Licenciado en Filosofía y Licenciado en Educación, por la Universidad de Valparaíso. Editor de la Revista de Humanidades de Valparaíso; Asistente de Edición de College Publication, London UK; Editor de la Serie Selección de Textos UV. Miembro de la Asociación Chilena de Filosofía (ACHIF).

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Published

2019-12-29

How to Cite

Lopez-Orellana, R., Redmond, J., & Cortés-García, D. (2019). An inferential and dynamic approach to modeling and understanding in biology. Revista De Humanidades De Valparaíso, (14), 315–334. https://doi.org/10.22370/rhv2019iss14pp315-334

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