Mathematics as Quasi-Matter to Build Models as Instruments

3rd VOLUME OF THE PHILOSOPHY OF SCIENCE IN A EUROPEAN PERSPECTIVE, M. Weber, D. Dieks, W.J. Gonzalez, S. Hartman, F. Stadler, and M. Stöltzner. eds., Springer, Forthcoming

16 Pages Posted: 30 Jan 2011

See all articles by Marcel J. Boumans

Marcel J. Boumans

Utrecht University School of Economics

Date Written: January 26, 2011

Abstract

Mathematical models are instruments of investigation, epistemological equivalent to the microscope and the telescope. In comparing the epistemological difference between models and experiments, Morgan (2005) argues that experiments offer greater epistemic power than models as a means to investigate the world. This outcome rests on the distinction that whereas experiments are versions of the real world captured within an artificial laboratory environment, models are mathematical worlds built to represent the real world. This difference in ontology has epistemic consequences: experiments have greater potential to make strong inferences back to the world. This latter power is manifest in the possibility that whereas working with models may lead to ‘surprise’, experimental results may be unexplainable within existing theory and so ‘confound’ the experimenter. This paper will show that mathematical models are quasi-empirical objects, objects that are made of quasi-material mathematics, and so have potential to confound the modeller because of the indeterminateness of the mathematical matter. Mathematical matter is indeterminate in two different ways: 1) indeterminate with respect to ignorance: the possibility of having false or incomplete theories of the mathematical structures; 2) indeterminate with respect to potential independence: despite the structure may be determined, there is still a certain degree of freedom, of indeterminacy, for the patterns of behaviour of the mathematical objects.

Keywords: model, experiment, quasi-matter, mathematics

JEL Classification: B40

Suggested Citation

Boumans, Marcel J., Mathematics as Quasi-Matter to Build Models as Instruments (January 26, 2011). 3rd VOLUME OF THE PHILOSOPHY OF SCIENCE IN A EUROPEAN PERSPECTIVE, M. Weber, D. Dieks, W.J. Gonzalez, S. Hartman, F. Stadler, and M. Stöltzner. eds., Springer, Forthcoming, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1748543

Marcel J. Boumans (Contact Author)

Utrecht University School of Economics ( email )

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+31 30 253 6287 (Phone)

HOME PAGE: http://www.uu.nl/leg/staff/MJBoumans

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