Demography in a new key: A theory of population theory

The widespread opinion that demography is lacking in theory is based in part on a particular view of the nature of scientific theory, generally known as logical empiricism [or positivism]. A newer school of philosophy of science, the model-based view, provides a different perspective on demography, one that enhances its status as a scientific discipline. From this perspective, much of formal demography can be seen as a collection of substantive models of population dynamics [how populations and cohorts behave], in short, theoretical knowledge. And many theories in behavioural demography – often discarded as too old or too simplistic – can be seen as perfectly good scientific theory, useful for many purposes, although often in need of more rigorous statement. 1 University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. Email: [email protected] Demographic Research – Volume 9, Article 11 264 http://www.demographic-research.org