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Phase Transitions: A Challenge for Reductionism?

Palacios, Patricia (2017) Phase Transitions: A Challenge for Reductionism? [Preprint]

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Abstract

In this paper, I analyze the extent to which classical phase transitions,
especially continuous phase transitions, impose a challenge for reduction-
ism. My main contention is that classical phase transitions are compatible
with reduction, at least with the notion of limiting reduction, which re-
lates the behavior of physical quantities in different theories under certain
limiting conditions. I argue that this conclusion follows even after rec-
ognizing the existence of two infinite limits involved in the treatment of
continuous phase transitions.

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Item Type: Preprint
Creators:
CreatorsEmailORCID
Palacios, PatriciaPatricia.palacios@lrz.uni-muenchen.de
Keywords: Phase Transitions; Reduction; Infinite Idealizations; Renormalization Group Methods
Subjects: General Issues > Explanation
General Issues > Philosophers of Science
General Issues > Reductionism/Holism
Specific Sciences > Physics > Statistical Mechanics/Thermodynamics
Depositing User: Ms. Patricia Palacios
Date Deposited: 06 Oct 2017 20:44
Last Modified: 06 Oct 2017 20:44
Item ID: 13519
Subjects: General Issues > Explanation
General Issues > Philosophers of Science
General Issues > Reductionism/Holism
Specific Sciences > Physics > Statistical Mechanics/Thermodynamics
Date: 6 October 2017
URI: https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/13519

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