Ontic and Epistemic Differentiation: Mechanistic Problems for Microbiology and Biology

Marcacci, Flavia; Oleksowicz, Michał; Conti, Angela

doi:10.1007/s10699-023-09918-9

Cited by 1 publication

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References 74 publications

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“…My colleagues and I have discussed the problem of the definition of species, suggesting that the concept of species is better understood within a dual ontic-epistemic approach (Marcacci, Oleksowicz and Conti, 2023). We have chosen this concept as the case study, since it plays various roles in biological investigations.…”

Section: A Dual Ontic-epistemic Approachmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ontic or epistemic conception of explanation: A misleading distinction?

Oleksowicz

2024

ZFN

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In this paper, I discuss the differences between ontic and epistemic conceptions of scientific explanation, mainly in relation to the so-called new mechanical philosophy. I emphasize that the debate on conceptions of scientific explanation owes much to Salmon’s ontic/epistemic distinction, although much has changed since his formulations. I focus on the interplay between ontic and epistemic norms and constraints in providing mechanistic explanations. My conceptual analysis serves two aims. Firstly, I formulate some suggestions for recognising that both sets of norms and constraints, ontic and epistemic, are necessary for scientific theorising. Secondly, I emphasize that there are multiple dimensions involved in scientific explanation, rather than clear-cut alternatives between ontic and epistemic aspects. I conclude with a general observation that although contextual aspects of explanations are unavoidable, the epistemic-relativity of our categories, explanations and models can in fact be compatible with their objectivity. Instead of making hastily drawn ontological implications from our theories or models, we should carefully scrutinize them from the ontic-epistemic perspective.

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Section: A Dual Ontic-epistemic Approachmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ontic or epistemic conception of explanation: A misleading distinction?

Oleksowicz

2024

ZFN

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

Ontic and Epistemic Differentiation: Mechanistic Problems for Microbiology and Biology

Cited by 1 publication

References 74 publications

Ontic or epistemic conception of explanation: A misleading distinction?

Ontic or epistemic conception of explanation: A misleading distinction?

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