Seifert, Vanessa A. (2025) Reframing the Reduction-Emergence Debate around Chemistry. [Preprint]

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Abstract

The study of molecular structure has played a central role in the debate around chemistry’s reduction to quantum physics. So far, this case has been invoked to support the non-reducibility of chemistry. However, recent papers claim that there might not be any structure to be assigned to isolated molecules, thus prompting a deeper investigation of the nature of molecular structure. To this end, this paper explores two alternative accounts of structure: the relational and dispositional accounts. Each metaphysical account has interesting implications for the reduction debate and opens news ways of arguing for (but also against) the reducibility of chemistry. The aim is to show that the debate around chemistry’s reduction needs to be radically reframed so as to include a rigorous metaphysical analysis of the nature of molecular structure.

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Item Type:	Preprint
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID Seifert, Vanessa A. vs14902@bristol.ac.uk 0000-0002-5391-0791
Additional Information:	Preprint of book chapter to be published In: Bryant, A. and Yates, D., (eds.) Rethinking Emergence. Oxford University Press (In Press)
Keywords:	Emergence; Reduction; Quantum Chemistry
Subjects:	General Issues > Reductionism/Holism
Depositing User:	Dr. Vanessa A. Seifert
Date Deposited:	04 Jun 2025 13:04
Last Modified:	04 Jun 2025 13:04
Item ID:	25553
Subjects:	General Issues > Reductionism/Holism
Date:	2025
URI:	https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/25553

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