Idealizations in Physics

Abstract

This Element offers an opinionated and selective introduction to philosophical issues concerning idealizations in physics, including the concept of and reasons for introducing idealization, abstraction, and approximation, possible taxonomy and justification, and application to issues of mathematical Platonism, scientific realism, and scientific understanding.

Gradual de-idealisation and progress in political science: a case study

“…Gradual de-idealisation may also not be convenient from a practical standpoint. Some idealising assumptions are ineliminable at a given stage of the research, e.g., due to methodological limitations, while others, although they can be removed, are retained, as they provide the model with sufficient flexibility and universality (see, e.g., Batterman, 2002Batterman, , 2009Potochnik, 2017;Shech, 2023). Therefore, capturing progress in science in terms of transitioning from more idealised models to less idealised models has some limitations.…”

“…In the literature, we can find different approaches to the method of idealisation. SeeShech (2023) for a summary and overview of major approaches.6 The image of the space of essential factors for F is different from the space of factors essential for F. The first concept means a construct created by the researcher extracting, more or less accurately, the determinants of the analysed magnitude. The second concept, on the other hand, involves the actual set of determinants of the analysed magnitude.…”