Lorenzetti, Lorenzo (2022) Two Forms of Functional Reductionism in Physics. [Preprint]
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Abstract
Functional reductionism characterises inter-theoretic reduction as the recovery of the upper-level behaviour described by the reduced theory in terms of the lower-level reducing theory. For instance, finding a statistical mechanical realiser that plays the functional role of thermodynamic entropy allows for establishing a reductive link between thermodynamics and statistical mechanics. This view constitutes a unique approach to reduction that enjoys a number of positive features, but has received limited attention in the philosophy of science.
This paper aims to clarify the meaning of functional reductionism in science, with a focus on physics, to define both its place with respect to other approaches to reduction and its connection to ontology. To do so, we develop and explore two alternative frameworks for functional reduction, called Syntactic Functional Reductionism and Semantic Functional Reductionism. They represent two different possible stances on the view that expand and improve the basic functional reductionist approach along different lines, and make clear how the approach works in practice. The former elaborates on David Lewis’ account, is connected with the syntactic view of theories, is committed to a logical characterisation of functional roles, and is embedded within Nagelian reductionism. The latter adopts a semantic view of theories, spells out functional roles mainly in terms of mathematical roles within the models of theories, and is expressed in terms of the related structuralist approach to reduction. The development of these frameworks has the final goal of advancing functional reductionism, to make it a fully-fledged alternative account for reduction in science.
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| Item Type: | Preprint | ||||||
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| Additional Information: | (Draft, please do not quote) | ||||||
| Keywords: | Functional reduction; Reductionism; Nagelian reduction; Functionalism; Thermodynamic entropy; Inter-level relations | ||||||
| Subjects: | General Issues > Scientific Metaphysics General Issues > Models and Idealization Specific Sciences > Physics General Issues > Reductionism/Holism Specific Sciences > Physics > Statistical Mechanics/Thermodynamics General Issues > Structure of Theories |
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| Depositing User: | Lorenzo Lorenzetti | ||||||
| Date Deposited: | 15 Dec 2022 18:33 | ||||||
| Last Modified: | 15 Dec 2022 18:33 | ||||||
| Item ID: | 21563 | ||||||
| Subjects: | General Issues > Scientific Metaphysics General Issues > Models and Idealization Specific Sciences > Physics General Issues > Reductionism/Holism Specific Sciences > Physics > Statistical Mechanics/Thermodynamics General Issues > Structure of Theories |
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| Date: | July 2022 | ||||||
| URI: | http://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/21563 |
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Two Forms of Functional Reductionism in Physics. (deposited 08 Jul 2022 04:14)
- Two Forms of Functional Reductionism in Physics. (deposited 15 Dec 2022 18:33) [Currently Displayed]
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