  I conceptualise the role of dualities in quantum gravity, in terms of their
functions for theory construction. I distinguish between two functions of
duality in physical practice: namely, discovering and describing 'equivalent
physics', vs. suggesting 'new physics'. I dub these the 'theoretical' vs. the
'heuristic' functions of dualities. The distinction seems to have gone largely
unnoticed in the philosophical literature: and it exists both for dualities,
and for the more general relation of theoretical equivalence. The paper
develops the heuristic function of dualities: illustrating how they can be
used, if one has any luck, to find and formulate new theories. I also point to
the different physical commitments about the theories in question that underlie
these two functions. I show how a recently developed schema for dualities
articulates the differences between the two functions.
