Modeling of Nature : The Philosophy of

Through an ingenious use of iconic and epistemic models, Wallace guides the reader through the fundamentals of natural philosophy. He then makes judicious use of cognitive science to provide a model of the human mind that illuminates not only the philosophy of nature but also the logic, psychology, and epistemology that are prerequisite to it.

List of Figures

IX

(2)

Preface

XI

(8)

Illustration Credits

XIX

Part I. Philosophy of Nature

1

(194)

1. Nature: The Inner Dimension

3

(32)

1.1 The Causal Model

5

(2)

1.2 Matter as Nature

7

(2)

1.3 Form as Nature

9

(3)

1.4 Nature as Agent

12

(3)

1.5 Nature as End

15

(4)

1.6 Necessity in Nature

19

(3)

1.7 The Inner Dimension

22

(5)

1.8 The Individual Natural Body

27

(4)

1.9 Models of Various Natures

31

(4)

2. Modeling the Inorganic

35

(41)

2.1 Elements and Compounds

38

(2)

2.2 Elemental Constituents

40

(5)

2.3 The Inorganic Form

45

(4)

2.4 Activity and Reactivity

49

(4)

2.5 The Ultimate Substrate

53

(5)

2.6 Natural Generation

58

(5)

2.7 Outer Space

63

(4)

2.8 States of Matter

67

(3)

2.9 Models of Inanimate Substance

70

(3)

2.10 Planet Earth

73

(3)

3. Plant and Animal Natures

76

(38)

3.1 Species of Organisms

77

(4)

3.2 Metabolism and Homeostasis

81

(6)

3.3 Development and Reproduction

87

(5)

3.4 Modeling a Plant Nature

92

(5)

3.5 Sentience and Mobility

97

(3)

3.6 Modeling an Animal Nature

100

(6)

3.7 Psychosomatic Components

106

(8)

4. The Modeling of Mind

114

(43)

4.1 Cognitive Science and Cognition

115

(5)

4.2 Sensation

120

(2)

4.3 Perception

122

(5)

4.4 The Simulation of Sense Knowledge

127

(4)

4.5 Intellection

131

(4)

4.6 Basic Types of Concepts

135

(4)

4.7 Intentionality

139

(7)

4.8 Intelligibles and Sensibles

146

(4)

4.9 Truth: Active and Passive

150

(3)

4.10 Computer Intelligence

153

(4)

5. Human Nature

157

(38)

5.1 Life Powers and the Human Soul

158

(5)

5.2 Entitative Perfection

163

(5)

5.3 Human Cognition

168

(6)

5.4 Appetition and Emotion

174

(2)

5.5 Volition

176

(4)

5.6 Human Nature in Action

180

(5)

5.7 Operative Perfection

185

(4)

5.8 Intimations of Metaphysics

189

(6)

Part II. Philosophy of Science

195

(232)

6. Defining the Philosophy of Science

197

(41)

6.1 The Break with Aristotle

198

(4)

6.2 Beginnings of the Discipline

202

(3)

6.3 Critiques of Science

205

(5)

6.4 The Logical Construction of Science

210

(6)

6.5 The Historical Development of Science

216

(5)

6.6 Science and Natural Philosophy

221

(6)

6.7 Science and Nature

227

(5)

6.8 The Philosophy of Science

232

(6)

7. Science as Probable Reasoning

238

(42)

7.1 Measurement and Metrical Concepts

239

(5)

7.2 Theories and Theoretical Concepts

244

(2)

7.3 Hypothetico-Deductive Reasoning

246

(3)

7.4 Theoretical Entities and Their Modeling

249

(5)

7.5 A Fuller Typology of Concepts

254

(4)

7.6 Causation, Event Ontology, and Probability

258

(4)

7.7 Knowledge, Opinion, and Belief

262

(4)

7.8 Topics and Probable Reasoning

266

(9)

7.9 The Social Construction of Science

275

(5)

8. The Epistemic Dimension of Science

280

(43)

8.1 Causal Connections

281

(4)

8.2 Definitions

285

(7)

8.3 Demonstrations

292

(5)

8.4 Foreknowledge and Suppositions

297

(3)

8.5 The Demonstrative Regress

300

(8)

8.6 Models and Ontology

308

(4)

8.7 A Logical Empiricist Ontology

312

(7)

8.8 The Two Ontologies Compared

319

(4)

9. Conceptual Studies of Scientific Growth

323

(54)

9.1 Geometrical Optics: The Rainbow

324

(10)

9.2 Planetary Astronomy: The Moon and the Planets

334

(7)

9.3 Statics and Kinematics: Falling Bodies

341

(9)

9.4 Biology: The Motion of the Heart and Blood

350

(5)

9.5 Optics: Light and Color

355

(4)

9.6 Dynamics: Universal Gravitation

359

(5)

9.7 Chemistry: Atoms and Molecules

364

(5)

9.8 Biochemistry: The DNA Molecule

369

(8)

10. Controversy and Resolution

377

(50)

10.1 The Demonstration Long Lost

380

(4)

10.2 The Face of the Moon

384

(6)

10.3 The Earth's Motion

390

(6)

10.4 What Moves the Blood?

396

(4)

10.5 Experimenting with the Prism

400

(6)

10.6 The Cause of Gravity

406

(3)

10.7 Quantifying Qualities

409

(6)

10.8 The Modeling of Nature Revisited

415

(5)

10.9 Philosophy of Science: A Reprise

420

(7)

Bibliography

427

(10)

Index

437

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Modeling of Nature : The Philosophy of Science and the Philosophy of Nature in Synthesis

Summary

Table of Contents

Supplemental Materials