科学模型的三种本体论立场探析

The Analysis of Three Ontological Positions of Scientific Models

随着科学模型在当代科学实践中的广泛应用,与模型相关的哲学问题已成为科学哲学的讨论热点,其中一个基本问题就是科学模型的本体论地位。通过对三种主流的模型本体论立场--模型作为理论的数学结构、模型作为虚构的抽象实体、模型作为工具--及各自的优点和局限性的探析,我们得出:一元本体论立场不足以作为模型认识论问题的有效前提,亦不足以应对模型种类的多样性。基于这一结论,我们提出了一种关于模型本体论的多元主义立场。

With the extensive application of scientific models in contemporary scientific practice,Philosophical issues related to models have become a topic of general interest. A basic problem among the concern of this article is the ontologic stance of models.By analysing three main ontologic stance of models-model as mathematical structure of theory,model as fictional abstract entity and model as tool-and their advantages and flows,this article drew a conclusion that the monistic ontological stance is not suficient for the diversity of model kinds nor to serve as a valid premise for the epistemological problems of models.Based on this conclusion,we proposed a pluralist ontological stance of models.