Two aspects of models and cultural role of scientific model

• Main Author: Abdul Murad, Mohd Hazim Shah
• Format: Article
• Language: English; English
• Published: Arabesques Editions 2012
• Subjects: B Philosophy (General); BL Religion
• Online Access: http://eprints.um.edu.my/9350/2/TWO_ASPECTS_OF_MODELS_AND_CULTURAL_ROLE.pdf; http://eprints.um.edu.my/9350/1/Two_aspects_of_models_and_cultural_role_of_scientific_model.pdf; http://eprints.um.edu.my/9350/; http://almukhatabatjournal.l.a.f.unblog.fr/files/2012/11/mohd-hazim-shah.pdf

In this paper I will look at the two aspects of models which I call the ‘symbolic’ and the ‘functional’. A comparison is made in this regard between models considered as Kuhnian paradigms, and Durkheim’s theory of social cohesion through collective representation. I argue that models serve a similar function with respect to the scientific community. However, this does not imply that practice is independent of belief. What I suggest instead is that practice is reconciled or negotiated with belief. Thus practice in a sense, does not tell us the whole story.