Philosophy of Climate Science

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Abstract
The use of climate simulations in scientific assessments of climate change and in the formulation of climate change scenarios has been contested for, among others, methodological reasons. The “philosophy of climate science” encompasses discussions about the methodology of climate science. Three issues with respect to climate simulation are discussed: (i) model hierarchy and complexity, (ii) tuning and falsifiability, and (iii) uncertainty. In this discussion paper it is argued that high-resolution and low-resolution climate models have complementary roles to play in the science of climate change. The role of computer simulations in climate science deserves further philosophical study in order to better assess their quality for informing climate policy making. The use of climate simulations in scientific assessments of climate change and in the formulation of climate change scenarios has been contested for, among others, methodological reasons. The “philosophy of climate science” encompasses discussions about the methodology of climate science. Three issues with respect to climate simulation are discussed: (i) model hierarchy and complexity, (ii) tuning and falsifiability, and (iii) uncertainty. In this discussion paper it is argued that high-resolution and low-resolution climate models have complementary roles to play in the science of climate change. The role of computer simulations in climate science deserves further philosophical study in order to better assess their quality for informing climate policy making.

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