Representational modelling as ensemble-plus-standing-for. A (weakly) pragmatist account

Abstract

The goal of this paper is to present, justify and compare to its rivals an account of representational modelling as ensemble-plus-standing-for. The goal is to provide an analysis that is weak enough to be applied to the plethora of different models in empirical science, but strong enough to offer monistic and substantive answers to the problems of directionality, performance and adequacy of scientific representations. The account combines some inherentist and functional aspects adding some essential pragmatic components. In Sect. 1 I start with some introductory and terminological remarks, and the problems and desiderata the account aims to meet. In Sect. 2, I summarize the main features of inherentist and functional accounts, their virtues worth to preserve and their shortcomings to avoid. In Sect. 3 I present the account and how it answers the three problems. In Sect. 4, I assess the account vis a vis its rivals. In the final section I make some concluding remarks.