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SUMMARY:Buyer beware: robustness analyses in theoretical economics - Anna 
 Alexandrova (Department of History and Philosophy of Science)
DTSTART:20111019T120000Z
DTEND:20111019T130000Z
UID:TALK33301@talks.cam.ac.uk
CONTACT:22487
DESCRIPTION:Theoretical biology and economics are remarkably similar in th
 eir reliance on mathematical models\, which attempt to represent real worl
 d systems using many idealized assumptions. They are also similar in placi
 ng a great emphasis on derivational robustness of modeling results. Recent
 ly philosophers of biology and economics have argued that robustness analy
 sis \ncan be a method for confirmation of claims about causal mechanisms\,
  despite the significant reliance of these models on patently false assump
 tions. We \nargue that the power of robustness analysis has been greatly e
 xaggerated. It is best regarded as a method of discovery rather than confi
 rmation.
LOCATION:Seminar Room 1\, Department of History and Philosophy of Science
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