Measure for Measure: Operationalising Cognitive Realism

DAVOODY BENI M.

Minds and Machines, vol.34, no.3, 2024 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 34 Issue: 3
  • Publication Date: 2024
  • Doi Number: 10.1007/s11023-024-09690-0
  • Journal Name: Minds and Machines
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, Applied Science & Technology Source, Compendex, Computer & Applied Sciences, INSPEC, Philosopher's Index, Psycinfo
  • Keywords: Cognitive structural realism, Free energy principle, Operationalism, Realism, The strategy of model-based science
  • Middle East Technical University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

This paper develops a measure of realism from within the framework of cognitive structural realism (CSR). It argues that in the context of CSR, realism can be operationalised in terms of balance between accuracy and generality. More specifically, the paper draws on the free energy principle to characterise the measure of realism in terms of the balance between accuracy and generality.