Everything about Unobservable
Entity not directly observable by humans
An unobservable is an entity whose existence, nature, properties, qualities or relations are not directly observable by humans. In philosophy of science, typical examples of "unobservables" are the force of gravity, causation and beliefs or desires. The distinction between observable and unobservable plays a central role in Immanuel Kant's distinction between noumena and phenomena as well as in John Locke's distinction between primary and secondary qualities. There is considerable disagreement about which objects should be classified as unobservable, for example, whether bacteria studied using microscopes or positrons studied using cloud chambers count as unobservable. Different notions of unobservability have been formulated corresponding to different types of obstacles to their observation. Wikipedia →
🧭 Start here: a 6-step reading path
- Read the overview: UnobservableA 5-minute orientation
- Skim a recent paper: State and Topology Estimation for Unobservable Distribution Systems Using Deep Neural NetworksInfluential work since 2022
- Pick up a classic book: A Metaphysics for scientific realismThe most-reprinted book on the subject
- Read the landmark paper: Evaluating Structural Equation Models with Unobservable Variables and Measurement ErrorCited 68,215 times
- Go sideways: InstrumentalismA closely related topic
- Go sideways: NoumenonA closely related topic
📖 Definitions
Adjective That cannot be observed.
Noun Something that cannot be observed.
🗂️ The subject at a glance
🏆 Landmark papers (most cited)
Evaluating Structural Equation Models with Unobservable Variables and Measurement Error
Evaluating Structural Equation Models with Unobservable Variables and Measurement Error
Structural Equation Models with Unobservable Variables and Measurement Error: Algebra and Statistics
Unobservable Selection and Coefficient Stability: Theory and Evidence
Structural Equation Models with Unobservable Variables and Measurement Error: Algebra and Statistics
Panel Data and Unobservable Individual Effects
No Pain, No Gain: A Critical Review of the Literature on Signaling Unobservable Product Quality
Signaling Unobservable Product Quality through a Brand Ally
🆕 Influential since 2022
State and Topology Estimation for Unobservable Distribution Systems Using Deep Neural Networks
Degradation modeling and RUL prediction with Wiener process considering measurable and unobservable external impacts
Interval observer design for unobservable switched nonlinear partial differential equation systems and its application
Accounting for Unobservable Preference Heterogeneity and Evaluating Alternative Anchoring Approaches to Estimate Country-Specific EQ-5D-Y Value Sets: A Case Study Using Spanish Preference Data
An integrated data-driven method using deep learning for a newsvendor problem with unobservable features
📚 Books worth reading
A Metaphysics for scientific realismAnjan Chakravartty · 2007
State space and unobserved component modelsA. C. Harvey, S. J. Koopman · 2004- 📕The mid-net zipper ridge a possible cause of unobserved porpoise mortalityD. B. Holts · 1980
Time series modelling with unobserved componentsMatteo M. Pelagatti · 2015- 📕Excess volatility and the asset-pricing exchange rate model with unobservable fundamentalsLeonardo Bartolini · 1999
A Metaphysics for Scientific RealismAnjan Chakravartty · 2007
Readings in unobserved components modelsA. C. Harvey · 2005
A Grief UnobservedMaggie Kindred · 2012
Ranked by number of editions on Open Library, a rough measure of how lasting a book is.
🔗 Related topics
- Instrumentalism In philosophy of science and in epistemology, instrumentalism is a methodological view that ideas are useful instruments, and that the worth of an idea…
- Noumenon In philosophy, a noumenon (/ˈnuːmənɒn/, /ˈnaʊ-/; from Ancient Greek: νοούμενoν; pl.: noumena) is knowledge posited as an object that exists independently…
- Constructive empiricism In philosophy of science, constructive empiricism is a form of empiricism. While it is sometimes referred to as an empiricist form of structuralism, its…
- Scientific realism Scientific realism is the philosophical view that the universe described by science (including both observable and unobservable aspects) exists independently…
- Empirical evidence Empirical evidence is evidence obtained through sense experience or experimental procedure. It is of central importance to the sciences and plays a role…
- Phenomenalism In metaphysics, phenomenalism is the view that physical objects cannot justifiably be said to exist as "things-in-themselves", but only as perceptual phenomena…
- Bas van Fraassen Bastiaan Cornelis "Bas" van Fraassen (/bɑːs vɑːn ˈfrɑːsən/; Dutch: [bɑs vɑn ˈfraːsə(n)]; born 5 April 1941) is a Dutch-American philosopher noted for his…
- Transcendental idealism Transcendental idealism is a philosophical system founded by German philosopher Immanuel Kant in the 18th century. Kant's epistemological program is found…