Subject: A Model and A Play - Similarities

Posted by Della Robinson on 1/3/2010
In Reply To:A Model and A Play - Similarities Posted by Gene Bellinger on 1/3/2010

Message:

Gene's post, prompted me to share the use of models in science.

In science, we use models all the time. It never occurred to me that models can be misunderstood and mystifying. The late Barry Richmond, whom I had the pleasure to know as a mentor, shocked me into understanding the function of models when he said that all models are false. Yes, models provide a limited understanding of the concept. I think of the development of the theory/model of the atom, from Democritus to the present-day model. When I teach my biology students concepts using models, I try to explain that this model works for now given the data of the day. This is why theories, though powerful and incredibly useful, are incomplete. As more data is gathered through observation and experimentation, the theory is further developed.

Della Robertson