Theoretical Understanding in Science

In this article I develop a model of theoretical understanding in science. This is a philosophical theory that specifies the conditions that are both necessary and sufficient for a scientist to satisfy the construction ‘S understands theory T ’. I first consider how this construction is preferable to others, then build a model of the requisite conditions on the basis of examples from elementary physics. I then show how this model of theoretical understanding can be made philosophically robust and provide a more sophisticated account than we see from models of a similar kind developed by those working in the psychology of physics and artificial intelligence. 1. Introduction2. The Explicandum/Analysandum3. Analysis of ‘S understands T’4. The Inferential Model 4.1. Which problems are we talking about?4.2. Does the solution have to be true?4.3. Does each cycle have to be correct for S to understand T?4.4. What is problem-solving reliability?4.5. Does every specific inference of a cycle have to be correct?4.6. Does each inference have to use a principle that is part of the theory?5. Theoretical Understanding and Conceptual Expertise: Empirical Considerations6. Conclusion: Inferential Model of Scientific Understanding and Our Traditional Problems Introduction The Explicandum/Analysandum Analysis of ‘S understands T’ The Inferential Model 4.1. Which problems are we talking about?4.2. Does the solution have to be true?4.3. Does each cycle have to be correct for S to understand T?4.4. What is problem-solving reliability?4.5. Does every specific inference of a cycle have to be correct?4.6. Does each inference have to use a principle that is part of the theory? Which problems are we talking about? Does the solution have to be true? Does each cycle have to be correct for S to understand T? What is problem-solving reliability? Does every specific inference of a cycle have to be correct? Does each inference have to use a principle that is part of the theory? Theoretical Understanding and Conceptual Expertise: Empirical Considerations Conclusion: Inferential Model of Scientific Understanding and Our Traditional Problems

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