Godfrey-Smith, Peter2009-07-132009Godfrey-Smith, Peter. 2009. Models and fictions in science. Philosophical Studies 143, no. 1: 101-116.0031-8116http://nrs.harvard.edu/urn-3:HUL.InstRepos:3168793Non-actual model systems discussed in scientific theories are compared to fictions in literature. This comparison may help with the understanding of similarity relations between models and real-world target systems. The ontological problems surrounding fictions in science may be particularly difficult, however. A comparison is also made to ontological problems that arise in the philosophy of mathematics.en-USscientific realismplatonismmathematicsfictionsmodels10.1007/s11098-008-9313-2