The meta-model is that it is possible to make accurate models, without specifying the general mechanism (e.g. “external reality”) responsible for it.
In the sense that it is always impossible to leave something just unexplained. But the posit of an external reality of some sort is not explatorilly idle, and not, therefore, ruled out by occam’s razor. The posit of an external reality of some sort (it doesn’t need to be specific) explains, at the meta-level, the process of model-formulation, prediction, accuracy, etc.
Which is, in fact, the number of posits shiminux advocates making, is it not? Adapt your models to be more accurate, sure, but don’t expect that to mean anything more than the model working.
Except I think he’s claimed to value things like “the most accurate model not containing slaves” (say) which implies there’s something special about the correct model beyond mere accuracy.
I suppose they are positing inputs, but they’re arguably not positing models as such—merely using them. Or at any rate, that’s how I’d ironman their position.
In the sense that it is always impossible to leave something just unexplained. But the posit of an external reality of some sort is not explatorilly idle, and not, therefore, ruled out by occam’s razor. The posit of an external reality of some sort (it doesn’t need to be specific) explains, at the meta-level, the process of model-formulation, prediction, accuracy, etc.
Fixed that for you.
I suppose shiminux would claim that explanatory or not, it complicates the model and thus makes it more costly, computationally speaking.
But that’s a terrible argument. if you can’t justify a posit by the explanatory work it does, then the optimum number of posits to make is zero.
Which is, in fact, the number of posits shiminux advocates making, is it not? Adapt your models to be more accurate, sure, but don’t expect that to mean anything more than the model working.
Except I think he’s claimed to value things like “the most accurate model not containing slaves” (say) which implies there’s something special about the correct model beyond mere accuracy.
Shminux seems to be positing inputs and models at the least.
I think you quoted the wrong thing there, BTW.
I suppose they are positing inputs, but they’re arguably not positing models as such—merely using them. Or at any rate, that’s how I’d ironman their position.