Axel Gelfert (Technical University of Berlin), Elay Shech (Auburn University)
The paper builds on recent work on the exploratory function of models in science and, using three examples from mesoscopic many-body physics, argues that, in spite of introducing falsehoods into scientific inquiry, idealizations and models often allow for the exploration of the structure and representational capacities of theories. A taxonomy of exploratory functions is developed, and contrasted with competing frameworks; finally, we make the case that certain senses of exploration may be indispensable for scientific understanding, as idealizations and models are essential for providing modal information and fostering counterfactual reasoning about systems of interest.
