Mathematising Science: Limits and Perspectives

An increasing amount of recent work in philosophy of science and mathematics is focusing on scientific practice, its internal structure and problems. This has given rise to new philosophical debates that differ in some substantial respects from more traditional ones and that have so far received comparatively little attention. These debates focus on topics such as the role of concrete representations in applied mathematics, the loss of empirical content associated with the use of abstract models of empirical systems, and the possibility of multiple, inconsistent formal descriptions of empirical data.

The objective of this conference is to provide a venue for the discussion of novel approaches to these and similar problems related to the use of formal methods in the sciences. In particular, we welcome contributions that engage with these issues in the context of linguistics, biology, cognitive science, and economics.

Our keynote speakers will address a range of issues pertaining to the main themes of the conference:

Dr. Marion Vorms - Theorising and representational practices in genetics

Dr. Silvia de Bianchi - Explanation in resonant models: Limits and perspectives of applied mathematics

Dr. Charlotte Werndl - Deterministic and indeterministic modelling: Underdetermination and indirect evidence 

Prof. Michael Glanzberg - What does model theory explain
in semantics?