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  • © 2012

Models as Make-Believe

Imagination, Fiction and Scientific Representation

Palgrave Macmillan

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Part of the book series: New Directions in the Philosophy of Science (NDPS)

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Table of contents (7 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-xvi
  2. Introduction

    • Adam Toon
    Pages 1-5
  3. Models and Representation

    • Adam Toon
    Pages 6-33
  4. What Models Are

    • Adam Toon
    Pages 34-60
  5. How Models Represent

    • Adam Toon
    Pages 61-83
  6. Carbon in Cardboard

    • Adam Toon
    Pages 84-107
  7. Playing with Molecules

    • Adam Toon
    Pages 108-130
  8. Conclusion

    • Adam Toon
    Pages 131-133
  9. Back Matter

    Pages 134-148

About this book

Scientists often try to understand the world by building simplified and idealised models of it. Adam Toon develops a new approach to scientific models by comparing them to the dolls and toy trucks of children's imaginative games, and offers a unified framework to solve difficult metaphysical problems and help to make sense of scientific practice.

Authors and Affiliations

  • Department of Philosophy, University of Bielefeld, Germany

    Adam Toon

About the author

ADAM TOON is Marie Curie Fellow at the University of Exeter.

Bibliographic Information

Buy it now

Buying options

eBook USD 39.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book USD 54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book USD 54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Other ways to access