'Of Water Drops and Atomic Nuclei: Analogies and Pursuit Worthiness in Science'
Authors
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Abstract
This paper highlights a use of analogies in science that so far has received relatively little systematic discussion: providing reasons for pursuing a model or theory. Using the development of the liquid drop model as a test case, I critically assess two extant pursuit worthiness accounts: (i) that analogies justify pursuit by supporting plausibility arguments and (ii) that analogies can serve as a guide to potential theoretical unification. Neither of these fit the liquid drop model case. Instead, I develop an alternative account, based on the idea that analogies facilitate the transfer of a well-understood modelling strategy to a new domain.
Publication Date
2020
Online Publication Date
2018-06-28
Acceptance Date
2018-03-28
Keywords
5003 Philosophy, 50 Philosophy and Religious Studies, 5002 History and Philosophy Of Specific Fields
Journal Title
British Journal for the Philosophy of Science
Journal ISSN
0007-0882
1464-3537
1464-3537
Volume Title
71
Publisher
University of Chicago Press
Sponsorship
Leverhulme Trust (RC-2015-067)
Leverhulme Trust Research Centre Grant (awarded to the Leverhulme Centre for the Future of Intelligence)