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Understanding with theoretical models

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  • Petri Ylikoski
  • N. Emrah Aydinonat

Abstract

This paper discusses the epistemic import of highly abstract and simplified theoretical models using Thomas Schelling's checkerboard model as an example. We argue that the epistemic contribution of theoretical models can be better understood in the context of a cluster of models relevant to the explanatory task at hand. The central claim of the paper is that theoretical models make better sense in the context of a menu of possible explanations. In order to justify this claim, we introduce a distinction between causal scenarios and causal mechanism schemes . These conceptual tools help us to articulate the basis for modelers' intuitive confidence that their models make an important epistemic contribution. By focusing on the role of the menu of possible explanations in the evaluation of explanatory hypotheses, it is possible to understand how a causal mechanism scheme can improve our explanatory understanding even in cases where it does not describe the actual cause of a particular phenomenon.

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  • Petri Ylikoski & N. Emrah Aydinonat, 2014. "Understanding with theoretical models," Journal of Economic Methodology, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 21(1), pages 19-36, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:jecmet:v:21:y:2014:i:1:p:19-36
    DOI: 10.1080/1350178X.2014.886470
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    1. N. Emrah Aydinonat, 2007. "Models, conjectures and exploration: an analysis of Schelling's checkerboard model of residential segregation," Journal of Economic Methodology, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 14(4), pages 429-454.
    2. Jim Woodward, 2006. "Some varieties of robustness," Journal of Economic Methodology, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 13(2), pages 219-240.
    3. Cartwright,Nancy, 1999. "The Dappled World," Cambridge Books, Cambridge University Press, number 9780521643368, January.
    4. Cartwright,Nancy, 1999. "The Dappled World," Cambridge Books, Cambridge University Press, number 9780521644112, January.
    5. Schelling, Thomas C, 1969. "Models of Segregation," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 59(2), pages 488-493, May.
    6. Joshua M. Epstein & Robert L. Axtell, 1996. "Growing Artificial Societies: Social Science from the Bottom Up," MIT Press Books, The MIT Press, edition 1, volume 1, number 0262550253, December.
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    Cited by:

    1. Walter Veit, 2019. "Modeling Morality," Papers 1907.08659, arXiv.org.
    2. Grüne-Yanoff, Till & Verreault-Julien, Philippe, 2021. "How-possibly explanations in economics: anything goes?," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 108622, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    3. Jaakko Kuorikoski & Aki Lehtinen, 2018. "Model selection in macroeconomics: DSGE and ad hocness," Journal of Economic Methodology, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 25(3), pages 252-264, July.
    4. Tomasz Ingram & Katarzyna Bratnicka-Mysliwiec, 2021. "Organizational Resilience and Family Firm Performance: The Role of Socioemotional Wealth," European Research Studies Journal, European Research Studies Journal, vol. 0(3), pages 523-540.
    5. Janssen, Maarten & Knuuttila, Tarja & Morgan, Mary S., 2024. "Insider apology for microeconomic theorising?," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 122588, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.

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