In:
Synthese, Springer Science and Business Media LLC, Vol. 198, No. 3 ( 2021-03), p. 2675-2694
Abstract:
Diagrams can serve as representational models in scientific research, yet important questions remain about how they do so. I address some of these questions with a historical case study, in which diagrams were modified extensively in order to elaborate an early hypothesis of protein synthesis. The diagrams’ modelling role relied mainly on two features: diagrams were modified according to syntactic rules, which temporarily replaced physico-chemical reasoning, and diagram-to-target inferences were based on semantic interpretations. I then explore the lessons for the relative roles of syntax, semantics, external marks, and mental images, for justifying diagram-to-target inferences, and for the “artefactual approach” to scientific models.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
0039-7857
,
1573-0964
DOI:
10.1007/s11229-019-02239-0
Language:
English
Publisher:
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Publication Date:
2021
detail.hit.zdb_id:
204075-X
detail.hit.zdb_id:
2012638-4
SSG:
11
SSG:
5,1
SSG:
5,2
SSG:
7,11
Bookmarklink