Synthese Library

I: Models and Structures.- I.0 Introduction.- I.1 Models and Potential Models.- I.2 Types and Structure Species.- I.3 Set-Theoretic Predicates and Lawlikeness.- I.4 Plausible Interpretations.- I.5 Example: Decision Theory.- I.6 Example: Collision Mechanics.- I.7 Example: Classical Particle Mechanics.- II: Theory-Elements.- II.0 Introduction.- II.1 Cores and Intended Applications.- II.2 Constraints.- II.2.1 Extensivity of Energy in EquilibriumThermodynamics.- II.2.2 Equality Constraint in Classical Mechanics.- II.2.3 The General Notion of a Constraint.- II.3 Theoreticity, Partial Potential Models, and Links.- II.3.1 An Intuitive Idea of Theoretical Concepts.- II.3.2 Intertheoretical Links Determining Non-Theoretical Terms.- II.3.3 An Informal Criterion of Theoreticity.- II.3.3.1 Spring Balance Determination of Weight inCPM.- II.3.3.2 Collision Determination of Mass inCCM.- II.3.4 A Formal Criterion of Theoreticity.- II.4 Theory-Cores Expanded.- II.5 Application Operators.- II.6 Intended Applications.- II.7 Idealized Theory-Elements and Empirical Claims.- III: Some Basic Theory-Elements.- III.0 Introduction.- III.1 Classical Collision Mechanics.- III.1.1 Potential and Actual Models ofCCM.- III.1.2 Partial Potential Models ofCCM.- III.1.3 Constraints forCCM.- III.1.4 The Theory-Element ofCCM.- III.2 Relativistic Collision Mechanics.- III.2.1 Potential and Actual Models ofRCM.- III.2.2 Partial Potential Models ofRCM.- III.2.3 Constraints forRCM.- III.2.4 The Theory-Element ofRCM.- III.3 Classical Particle Mechanics.- III.3.1 The Potential and Actual Models ofCPM.- III.3.1.1 The Logical Status of Force inCPM.- III.3.2 The Partial Potential Models ofCPM.- III.3.3 Constraints forCPM.- III.3.4 The Theory-Element ofCPM.- III.4 Daltonian Stoichiometry.- III.4.1 The Potential Models ofDSTOI.- III.4.2 The Models ofDSTOI.- III.4.3 The Partial Potential Models ofDSTOI.- III.4.4 Constraints forDSTOI.- III.4.5 Links forDSTOI.- III.4.6 The Theory-Element ofDSTOIand Its Claim.- III.5 Simple Equilibrium Thermodynamics.- III.5.1 The Potential Models ofSETH.- III.5.2 The Actual Models ofSETH.- III.5.3 The Partial Potential Models ofSETH.- III.5.4 Constraints forSETH.- III.5.5 Links forSETH.- III.6 Lagrangian Mechanics.- III.6.1 The Potential and Actual Models ofLAG.- III.6.2 The Partial Potential Models ofLAG.- III.6.3 Constraints and Links forLAG.- III.6.4 The Theory-Element ofLAG.- III.7 Pure Exchange Economics.- III.7.1 The Potential and Actual Models ofPEE.- III.7.2 The Partial Potential Models ofPEE.- III.7.3 The Theory-Element ofPEE.- IV: Theory-Nets.- IV.0 Introduction.- IV.1 Specializations.- IV.2 Theory-Nets.- IV.3 Theory-Net Content and Empirical Claim.- IV.4 The Theory-Net of Classical Particle Mechanics.- IV.5 The Theory-Net of Simple Equilibrium Thermodynamics.- V. The Diachronic Structure of Theories.- V.0 Introduction.- V.1 Pragmatic Primitive Concepts.- V.1.1 Historical Periods.- V.1.2 Historical Precedence.- V.1.3 Scientists.- V.1.4 Scientific Communities and Scientific Generations.- V.1.5 Scientific Propositional Attitudes.- V.2 Theory-Evolutions.- V.3 The Evolution of CPM.- V.4 The Evolution of SETH.- VI: Intertheoretical Relations.- VI.0 Introduction.- VI.1 Global Intertheoretical Relations.- VI.2 Specialization and Theoretization.- VI.3 Types of Reduction.- VI.3.1 The Reduction of Collision Mechanics to Classical Particle Mechanics.- VT.3.2 The Reduction of Rigid Body Mechanics to Classical Particle Mechanics.- VI.4 A General Concept of Reduction.- VI.5 Empirical Equivalence.- VI.5.1 The Empirical Equivalence of Lagrangian and Classical Mechanics.- VI.6 Equivalence.- VI.7 Reduction, Language, and Incommensurability.- VII: Approximation.- VII.0 Introduction.- VII.1 Types of Approximation.- VII.2 Intratheoretical Approximation.- VII.2.1 Blurs on Two Levels.- VII.2.2 Admissible Approximations.- VII.2.3 The Approximative Version of an Empirical Claim.- VII.2.4 Approximations in Theory-Nets and Theory-Evolutions.- VII.3 Intertheoretical Approximation.- VII.3.1 Approximative Reduction.- VII.3.1.1 The Case of the Kepler-Newton Relationship.- VIII: The Global Structure of Science.- VIII.0 Introduction.- VIII.1 Theory-Holons.- VIII.2 Theoreticity Reconsidered.- VIII.3 Graphs and Paths.- VIII.4 Local Empirical Claims in Global Theory-Holons.- VIII.5 Intended Applications Reconsidered.- VIII.6 Foundationalism Versus Coherentism.- Name Index.