ABSTRACT
Climate science is a paradigmatic example of contemporary model-based inquiry, drawing from various mathematical techniques and cutting-edge computational and simulation tools to explain climate phenomena and predict possible future climate conditions. Its often-alarming results have captured the attention of experts, journalists, and policymakers, to mention just some of the obvious audiences. It is no wonder, then, that climate models have become a central locus of interest in the philosophy of science in recent years. Attention has been paid to the epistemological and methodological aspects of climate modeling, as well as its societal and ethical dimensions. The present chapter focuses on the former while noting that an understanding of the key epistemological issues surrounding climate models is also an integral step toward sustainable decision-making procedures. Key climate models and modeling strategies, as well as accompanying concepts and tools, are introduced and explained. These are then investigated from a philosophy of science perspective, providing an introduction to the epistemological issues and open problems facing contemporary climate modeling practices.
