Objective In the contemporary philosophy of science, attention has been increasingly paid to the role of idealization in providing objective and genuine knowledge about natural phenomena, that is, knowledge that ascertains their mind-independent reality and also helps us to understand why they occur in the way they do. The main objectives of the present project are (1) the critical evaluation of the current views about scientific idealization that attempt to account for this role, and (2) the proposal of a new position about the ways in which idealization serves objectivity and understanding in physics, a position that overcomes the shortcomings of the current views.With regard to (1), I focus on two recent influential attempts to accommodate idealization within a causal account of scientific explanation, by Michael Strevens and James Woodward, as well as on one equally recent and influential attempt, by James Ladyman and Steven French, to justify the view that objective knowledge requires that the structure of a theory be invariant.With regard to (2), I build on the work of David Hilbert in the foundations of mathematics and physics. My goal is to explain in what sense idealization may be considered capable of providing objective and genuine scientific knowledge, without revealing the causes of natural phenomena, and without adverting to the notion of structural invariance. Fields of science humanitiesphilosophy, ethics and religionphilosophyhistory of philosophycontemporary philosophynatural sciencesmathematics Programme(s) FP7-PEOPLE - Specific programme "People" implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013) Topic(s) FP7-PEOPLE-2011-CIG - Marie-Curie Action: "Career Integration Grants" Call for proposal FP7-PEOPLE-2011-CIG See other projects for this call Funding Scheme MC-CIG - Support for training and career development of researcher (CIG) Coordinator UNIVERSITATEA DIN BUCURESTI EU contribution € 75 000,00 Address SOSEAUA PANDURI 90 050663 Bucuresti Romania See on map Region Macroregiunea Trei Bucureşti-Ilfov Bucureşti Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Administrative Contact Ilie Parvu (Prof.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Total cost No data
