Sloppy Models, Renormalization Group Realism, and the Success of Science

Freeborn, David Peter Wallis (2023) Sloppy Models, Renormalization Group Realism, and the Success of Science. Erkenntnis. ISSN 0165-0106

Abstract

The “sloppy models” program originated in systems biology, but has seen applications across a range of fields. Sloppy models are dependent on a large number of parameters, but highly insensitive to the vast majority of parameter combinations. Sloppy models proponents claim that the program may explain the success of science. I argue that the sloppy models program can at best provide a very partial explanation. Drawing a parallel with renormalization group realism, I argue that it would only give us grounds for a minimal kind of scientific realism. Nonetheless, the program can offer certain epistemic virtues.

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Official URL:	https://doi.org/10.1007/s10670-023-00728-w
Item Type:	Article
Disciplines:	Humanities > Philosophy
Depositing User:	David Freeborn
Date Deposited:	30 Oct 2023 11:06
Last Modified:	14 May 2024 16:37
URI:	https://nul.repository.guildhe.ac.uk/id/eprint/1453

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