Theories and models
realism and objectivity in cognitive science
pp. 331-352
in: Evandro Agazzi (ed), Varieties of scientific realism, Berlin, Springer, 2017Abstract
Scientific realism is often analyzed in the context of natural sciences theory. How does it behave in cognitive science theories? Some philosophers of science have proposed a pragmatic approach to the concept of scientific theory where models form an essential part of its construction. They play a role of mediation. Three distinct classes of models play such a role in cognitive science: (a) formal models, (b) physical models, and (c) conceptual models. Each of these classes challenges the realist thesis in specific ways.