Model Pluralism

TL;DR

This paper advocates for model pluralism in science, emphasizing the importance of multiple models for understanding phenomena, and argues that analyses should focus on sets of models and their diverse functions within scientific practice.

Contribution

It introduces and defends the novel concept of model pluralism, highlighting the necessity of multiple models for scientific explanation and analysis.

Findings

Successful model analysis must consider sets of models and their functions.

Scientists need multiple models to achieve scientific goals.

Model multiplicity is essential for understanding complex phenomena.

Abstract

This paper introduces and defends an account of model-based science that I dub model pluralism. I argue that despite a growing awareness in the philosophy of science literature of the multiplicity, diversity, and richness of models and modeling-practices, more radical conclusions follow from this recognition than have previously been inferred. Going against the tendency within the literature to generalize from single models, I explicate and defend the following two core theses: (i) any successful analysis of models must target sets of models, their multiplicity of functions within science, and their scientific context and history and (ii) for almost any aspect x of phenomenon y, scientists require multiple models to achieve scientific goal z.