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If No Capacities then No Credible Worlds. But Can Models Reveal Capacities?

Cartwright, N.

Authors



Abstract

This paper argues that even when simple analogue models picture parallel worlds, they generally still serve as isolating tools. But there are serious obstacles that often stop them isolating in just the right way. These are obstacles that face any model that functions as a thought-experiment but they are especially pressing for economic models because of the paucity of economic principles. Because of the paucity of basic principles, economic models are rich in structural assumptions. Without these no interesting conclusions can be drawn. This, however, makes trouble when it comes to exporting conclusions from the model to the world. One uncontroversial constraint on induction from special cases is to beware of extending conclusions to situations that we know are different in relevant respects. In the case of economic models it is clear by inspection that the unrealistic structural assumptions of the model are intensely relevant to the conclusion. Any inductive leap to a real situation seems a bad bet.

Citation

Cartwright, N. (2009). If No Capacities then No Credible Worlds. But Can Models Reveal Capacities?. Erkenntnis, 70(1), 45-48. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10670-008-9136-8

Journal Article Type Article
Publication Date 2009-01
Deposit Date Sep 22, 2015
Journal Erkenntnis
Print ISSN 0165-0106
Electronic ISSN 1572-8420
Publisher Springer
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 70
Issue 1
Pages 45-48
DOI https://doi.org/10.1007/s10670-008-9136-8
Public URL https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1431330