Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press (
2023)
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Abstract
Idealizations are ubiquitous in physics. They are distortions
or falsities that enter into theories, laws, models, and scientific
representations. Various questions suggest themselves: What are
idealizations? Why do we appeal to idealizations and how do we justify
them? Are idealizations essential to physics and, if so, in what sense and
for which purpose? How can idealizations provide genuine
understanding? If our motivation for believing in the existence of
unobservable entities like electrons and quarks is that they are
indispensable to our best theories, should we also believe in the
existence of indispensable idealizations? This Element will tackle such
questions and offer an opinionated and selective introduction to
philosophical issues concerning idealizations in physics. Topics to be
covered include 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.