Model Evaluation: An Adequacy-for-Purpose View

According to an adequacy-for-purpose view, models should be assessed with respect to their adequacy or fitness for particular purposes. Such a view has been advocated by scientists and philosophers alike. Important details, however, have yet to be spelled out. This article attempts to make progress...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Philosophy of science 2020-07, Vol.87 (3), p.457-477
Main Author: Parker, Wendy S.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adequacy
Philosophers
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Summary:According to an adequacy-for-purpose view, models should be assessed with respect to their adequacy or fitness for particular purposes. Such a view has been advocated by scientists and philosophers alike. Important details, however, have yet to be spelled out. This article attempts to make progress by addressing three key questions: What does it mean for a model to be adequate-for-purpose? What makes a model adequate-for-purpose? How does assessing a model’s adequacy-for-purpose differ from assessing its representational accuracy? In addition, responses are given to some objections that might be raised against an adequacy-for-purpose view.
ISSN:0031-8248
1539-767X
DOI:10.1086/708691