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Is automated discovery expanding human understanding? On the role of machine learning in the increase of scientific understanding

Kristian G. Barman (UGent)
(2025) JOURNAL FOR GENERAL PHILOSOPHY OF SCIENCE. 56(4). p.533-550
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Abstract
Automated discovery techniques, driven by computational methods, have played an important role in achieving scientific breakthroughs across various disciplines. This paper investigates the impact of automated discovery on scientific understanding through the examination of two case studies: quantum optics experiment design and accelerated materials discovery of vanadium selenites. I argue that these systems enrich researchers' understanding by revealing novel phenomena and uncovering solutions that lie beyond the confines of manual search, yet nonetheless once discovered can be integrated into pre-existing theoretical scaffolding. I further study the role played by machine learning models involved in automated discovery as it relates to the increase scientific understanding, arguing that they can be taken to be INUS conditions. Recognizing the capacity of automated discovery to improve understanding, the paper submits that the logic of discovery remains crucially relevant and warrants further in-depth conceptual development.
Keywords
Automated discovery, Scientific understanding, Machine learning, Logic of discovery, INUS conditions, EXPLANATION, SCIENCE, LOGIC

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Citation

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MLA
Gonzalez Barman, Kristian. “Is Automated Discovery Expanding Human Understanding? On the Role of Machine Learning in the Increase of Scientific Understanding.” JOURNAL FOR GENERAL PHILOSOPHY OF SCIENCE, vol. 56, no. 4, 2025, pp. 533–50, doi:10.1007/s10838-024-09716-2.
APA
Gonzalez Barman, K. (2025). Is automated discovery expanding human understanding? On the role of machine learning in the increase of scientific understanding. JOURNAL FOR GENERAL PHILOSOPHY OF SCIENCE, 56(4), 533–550. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10838-024-09716-2
Chicago author-date
Gonzalez Barman, Kristian. 2025. “Is Automated Discovery Expanding Human Understanding? On the Role of Machine Learning in the Increase of Scientific Understanding.” JOURNAL FOR GENERAL PHILOSOPHY OF SCIENCE 56 (4): 533–50. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10838-024-09716-2.
Chicago author-date (all authors)
Gonzalez Barman, Kristian. 2025. “Is Automated Discovery Expanding Human Understanding? On the Role of Machine Learning in the Increase of Scientific Understanding.” JOURNAL FOR GENERAL PHILOSOPHY OF SCIENCE 56 (4): 533–550. doi:10.1007/s10838-024-09716-2.
Vancouver
1.
Gonzalez Barman K. Is automated discovery expanding human understanding? On the role of machine learning in the increase of scientific understanding. JOURNAL FOR GENERAL PHILOSOPHY OF SCIENCE. 2025;56(4):533–50.
IEEE
[1]
K. Gonzalez Barman, “Is automated discovery expanding human understanding? On the role of machine learning in the increase of scientific understanding,” JOURNAL FOR GENERAL PHILOSOPHY OF SCIENCE, vol. 56, no. 4, pp. 533–550, 2025.
@article{01KEXV9MNYEZVX17N22ZTFW2YV,
  abstract     = {{Automated discovery techniques, driven by computational methods, have played an important role in achieving scientific breakthroughs across various disciplines. This paper investigates the impact of automated discovery on scientific understanding through the examination of two case studies: quantum optics experiment design and accelerated materials discovery of vanadium selenites. I argue that these systems enrich researchers' understanding by revealing novel phenomena and uncovering solutions that lie beyond the confines of manual search, yet nonetheless once discovered can be integrated into pre-existing theoretical scaffolding. I further study the role played by machine learning models involved in automated discovery as it relates to the increase scientific understanding, arguing that they can be taken to be INUS conditions. Recognizing the capacity of automated discovery to improve understanding, the paper submits that the logic of discovery remains crucially relevant and warrants further in-depth conceptual development.}},
  author       = {{Barman, Kristian G.}},
  issn         = {{0925-4560}},
  journal      = {{JOURNAL FOR GENERAL PHILOSOPHY OF SCIENCE}},
  keywords     = {{Automated discovery,Scientific understanding,Machine learning,Logic of discovery,INUS conditions,EXPLANATION,SCIENCE,LOGIC}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  number       = {{4}},
  pages        = {{533--550}},
  title        = {{Is automated discovery expanding human understanding? On the role of machine learning in the increase of scientific understanding}},
  url          = {{http://doi.org/10.1007/s10838-024-09716-2}},
  volume       = {{56}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}
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