Sharpening the tools of imagination.

Thought experiments, models, diagrams, computer simulations, and metaphors can all be understood as tools of the imagination. While these devices are usually treated separately in philosophy of science, this paper provides a unified account according to which tools of the imagination are epistemical...

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Publicado en:Synthese Vol. 200; no. 6; pp. 1 - 17
Autor principal: Stuart, Michael T.
Formato: Artículo
Publicado: Springer Nature Dec2022
Acceso en línea:Ver este registro en EBSCOhost
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        au: Stuart, Michael T.
        affil:
          Institute of Philosophy of Mind and Cognition, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, No.155, Sec.2, Linong Street, 112, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
          Centre for Philosophy of Natural and Social Science, London School of Economics, London, UK
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        Computer simulations
        Deontic epistemology
        Epistemic tools
        Epistemological consequentialism
        Epistemology of science
        Metaepistemology
        Metaphor
        Models
        Scientific imagination
        Thought experiment
        Virtue epistemology
        Visualization
      ab: Thought experiments, models, diagrams, computer simulations, and metaphors can all be understood as tools of the imagination. While these devices are usually treated separately in philosophy of science, this paper provides a unified account according to which tools of the imagination are epistemically good insofar as they improve scientific imaginings. Improving scientific imagining is characterized in terms of epistemological consequences: more improvement means better consequences. A distinction is then drawn between tools being good in retrospect, at the time, and in general. In retrospect, tools are evaluated straightforwardly in terms of the quality of their consequences. At the cutting edge, tools are evaluated positively insofar as there is reason to believe that using them will have good consequences. Lastly, tools can be generally good, insofar as their use encourages the development of epistemic virtues, which are good because they have good epistemic consequences.
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    language: English
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