Sugden, Robert (2009) Credible worlds, capacities and mechanisms. Erkenntnis, 70 (1). pp. 3-27. ISSN 1572-8420
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This paper asks how, in science in general and in economics in particular, theoretical models aid the understanding of real-world phenomena. Using specific models in economics and biology as test cases, it considers three alternative answers: that models are tools for isolating the ‘capacities’ of causal factors in the real world; that modelling is ‘conceptual exploration’ which ultimately contributes to the development of genuinely explanatory theories; and that models are credible counterfactual worlds from which inductive inferences can be made. The paper argues that the ‘credible worlds’ account captures significant aspects of scientific practice, even if many modellers see their work as conceptual exploration.
Item Type: | Article |
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Faculty \ School: | Faculty of Social Sciences > School of Economics |
UEA Research Groups: | Faculty of Social Sciences > Research Groups > Economic Theory Faculty of Social Sciences > Research Centres > Centre for Behavioural and Experimental Social Sciences Faculty of Social Sciences > Research Centres > Centre for Competition Policy Faculty of Social Sciences > Research Groups > Behavioural Economics |
Depositing User: | Gina Neff |
Date Deposited: | 13 Jan 2011 11:09 |
Last Modified: | 22 Apr 2023 00:52 |
URI: | https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/18415 |
DOI: | 10.1007/s10670-008-9134-x |
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