There *are* some models that do a VERY good job at relieving the
requirement that one understand the details. Thermodynamics is
probably the best such example, but in analyzing many situations
one can use logic to find terms that cancel out and can then ignore
those terms (as in all objects falling equally fast in vacuum
because mass is on both sides of the equation so it cancels
out).
Neoclassical economic models *do* show some of this strength, but
only if used *very* carefully, e.g. if maximum attention is paid to
the exact meaning of the assumptions, those are recognized to be
assumptions, and in general the process of turning symbols back
into concepts is a faithful reversal of the initial. process of
turning concepts into symbols.
Comment statistics for michael vassar on the Making Light blog
The most recent 20 comments posted to Making Light by michael vassar:
Show all comments by michael vassar.