Inferential Blueprints and Windows on Reality – Michela Massimi (University of Edinburgh)

Abstract:
In this talk, I present a key aspect of my 2022 book Perspectival realism (OUP), namely the view of scientific models as inferential blueprints. Against a long-standing tradition that has focussed on the representational role of scientific models, I explain the rationale for regarding models as primarily inferential blueprints that allow different epistemic communities to exchange relevant and appropriate inferences on the relevant target system. I illustrate the view with both historical and contemporary examples of scientific modelling and I spell out the nature of the modal knowledge licensed by scientific models.

This event is part of our summer term 2026 Lecture Series Digital Complexity: Beyond Human Understanding.

If you would like to attend, please register with events@khk.rwth-aachen.de.