Modeling as a method of knowledge is of interest of two related disciplines: philosophy and methodology, as in modern science, particularly in physics, chemistry, cybernetics, biology modeling methods are widely used.
But modeling as a method of scientific knowledge can not be considered the brainchild of 19th or 20th century, because it suffices to recall that even Democritus and Epicurus drew analogies with round and smooth or hooked particles, speaking about atoms and forms on how to connect them to each other,of atomic vortices and showers.That these ideas is the prototype models created in our time, and reflecting the atomic structure of matter and describe the relative position and interdependence of a nucleus and electrons.
Modeling as a method of knowledge has undergone profound changes in the early 20th century with the development of cybernetics, which has opened up new possibilities and surprising perspectives in ascertaining the regularities and characteristics of different systems of physical nature which are peculiar to the various levels of the organization and systematization of the forms of motion and matter.On the other hand, the opening in the quantum mechanics and the theory of relativity has shown that there is no absolute pattern that mechanical models are relative and there are associated in this regard, the difficulty in modeling.Therefore, modeling as a method of knowledge requires a deep theoretical understanding and the search for his place in the general theory of knowledge, since there are multiple facts of its wide use in various kinds of research.
Besides modeling, there is also an analysis as a method of knowledge, and it is characterized by the dismemberment of its component parts subject to a holistic view to a more complete and thorough investigation.These parts can be hand, properties, attributes or relationships.The analysis can be relatively-legal (eg such, which analyzes the legal systems of various countries), statistics (which deals with the dynamics of the phenomenon over time), etc.
Often, studies have also used the following methods of scientific knowledge:
- analogy.The reception, at which on the basis of similarity of some features on the objects being compared, the conclusion about the similarity of the other features on the same sites.
- deduction.The method of cognition, in which on the basis of a plurality of individual cases on the subject it is concluded that the totality of the cases.
- induction.Method of knowledge, which is based on the findings of the properties of an object or phenomenon on the basis of the private opinions about them.
- classification.When using this method of scientific knowledge of the subjects taught are divided into various sub-groups on specific properties or essential characteristics.This method is of particular importance in such sciences as biology, geography, geology, and other descriptive sciences.
- observation.Method of knowledge, based on purposeful perception phenomena, in which you can acquire the necessary knowledge about the properties and signs of external relations of the objects.
- generalization.Method of knowledge, and at the same time receiving thinking, designed to establish the general properties of objects and phenomena.
- description.Fixing information about the object by means of language.
- forecasting.The method of research involving the study of specific prospects for the development of a particular phenomenon.
- synthesis.Combinations of different features, properties, parties, relationship of phenomena or objects together.
- experiment.This kind of research, which studies the phenomenon is reproduced in a controlled and monitored environment.During this type of knowledge tend to isolate in pure form object (or phenomenon under study).
Thus, as a method of knowledge modeling is quite common, but by no means the only method of research in science.
