Mueller Science - model categorize categories

Figure 08: How to categorize models

Functions and worlds

Despite the bulk of publications on „model“ since World War II there have not been many attempts to synthesize a systematic categorisation of all (possible, used, constructed) kinds of models and its cognates. Some exceptions are Viktor A. Stoff (1969), Herbert Stachowiak (1973), Richard Köhler (1975) and Roland Müller (1977). Some minor, but also elaborate, attempts were made by Wilfried Neugebauer (1977), Hermann Fertig (1977) and in two different ways by Marco Thomas (2000; 2001).

If we undertake a new attempt we can roughly distinguish more than 110 different kinds of models. By taking their most general function or world they constitute they can be grouped into 25 categories, each covering a variety of similar but not equal meanings indicated by some cues such as:

· archetype, idea

· abstraction, idealization, sign

· type

· pattern, prescription, plan

· paragon, idol

· draft, design, hypothesis

· explanation, interpretation

· theory

· analogy

· measure

· shape, regulation

· visualization, illustration

· interpretation of a theory

· representation, description, image

· sample, specimen, guinea pig

· worlds of dreams

· worlds of plays & games

· worlds of art & entertainment

· worlds of media & internet

· worlds of teaching & learning

· record

· emotional & cult object

· substitute

· mould &/or cast

· original &/or copy

Existence

If we combine various „ontological“ differentiations of models, which have been proposed since 1945, we get the following categories:

· mental: pictorial and abstract

· formal: language and mathematical

· graphic: pictorial, abstract and virtual

· material: natural and artificial

Matrix

The combination of functional and ontological categorizations opens a matrix. (Fig.10).

Both categorizations are only pragmatically. E. g. the functions of type, representation, art & media, mould and original, etc. are not on the same logical scale.

Different allocations are possible

The aim of these categories is only to tabulate the abundance of meanings and to give an oversight. Their extension is different and the boundaries are blurred. Various objects can be classified in one or more categories.

For instance „world models“ can be:

· descriptive

· explicative (e. g. myths, cosmological models)

· visionary (e. g. utopias)

Or take a litte wax figure. Is it:

· a reproduction of a nude?

· a draft or design to be judged and meliorated?

· a shape to be followed in bigger scale?

· an original to be copied? or

· itself a copy?

Nearly all kinds of models can be imagined, described verbally, drawn, formalized and processed by computer. Conversely a “virtual reality“ can be a representation, interpretation, visualization, draft or original.

Various other categorizations are possible

Various other categorizations are possible, e. g. with respect to:

· functions of model and its cognate words in different fields, e. g. form, knowledge, express, organize, apply, entertain (see Fig. 03 and 05)

· areas in which models are used, as science in general and in particular sciences, technology, education, medicine and management, law, politics, hobby and play, craft and art, etc.

· users such as scientists or children, dilettantes or craftsmen, artists or hobbyists, etc.

· material such as wax, clay, stone, wood, balsa, cork, cardboard, metals, perspex, plastic, etc.

· fabrication, e. g. model, form, mould, found, cast, sculpture, carve, engrave, throw, draw, paint, construct, structure, engineer, bond, cement, etc. (Fig. 12)

· similarity with an original regarding form and structure, material and size, function and processes, behavior etc.

· similarity with an original regarding simplicity/ complexity, abundance/ omissions

· space dimensions; 2-D models (e. g. foto, movie), 3-D models (e. g. architecture models; virtual reality); n-D models (mental, formal, abstract, etc.)

· time dimension, e. g. static and dynamic models; models of today, of the last centuries, of Antiquity or earlier times; various models showing an object or ensemble at various dates; models showing the construction of an object at different stages.