n3-al-mukhatabat-journal

The Question of Domain Limits of Models
In general, models are used in science to understand and represent different
levels of scientific phenomena; from subatomic Quantum physics (the standard
model), through cell and evolutionary biology, to human neurology and cognitive
science. Hence, an essential question arises, is there a limit for the domain
covered by a specific model, i.e., should models be limited within one specific
scientific field, or one and the same model can be constructed in a way that
covers completely different scientific fields.
For example we use basic statistical models (such as normal or Gaussian
distribution model, Bayesian theorem, etc) to represent random variables in
physics (ex., Quantum Theory), in economics (ex. Stock market), as well as
collective human behavior (ex. Poll surveys), which are completely different
scientific fields. Similarly, we use chaotic non-linear systems models in
completely different fields such as physics, biology, economics, sociology,
computer science, etc.
In addition, atomism as a general model has been used in a wide scope of
essentially different fields with 'theoretically' different formulations: in physics
(corpuscular theory of matter); in social sciences (methodological individualism);
and in language (logical atomism). In all these manifestations of such a general
model a general form is preserved whereas specific theoretical forms
(mathematical, qualitative and logical) are constructed.
In these examples, such models apply to different fields of knowledge without
reducing it to the physical level. Humans obey statistical laws as much as
elementary particles, without being reduced to the physical level.
In the case of the general statistical model, despite that both natural and human
'entities' follow the same 'statistical' model the sense of the elements of the
model differs in each. The statistical elements in the case of the human level
represent 'human decisions' or human behavior that is based on human
decisions, whereas in the case of the physical level, the statistical elements
represent physical movements of elementary (or more complicated) particles.
AL-MUKHATABAT Numéro 03 Année 01/2012 لىولأا ةن سلا 30 ددعلا تابطانا
113
ISSN: 1737-6432