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How (not) to be a reductionist in a complex universe

Stotz, Karola (2007) How (not) to be a reductionist in a complex universe. In: UNSPECIFIED.

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Abstract

This paper understands reductionism as a relation between explanations, not theories. It argues that knowledge of the micro-level behavior of the components of systems is necessary, but only combined with a full specification of the contingent context sufficient for a full explanation of systems phenomena. The paper takes seriously fundamental principles independent and transcendent of the laws of quantum mechanics that govern most of real-world phenomena. It will conclude in showing how the recent postgenomic revolution, taking seriously the physical principle of organization and collective behavior, can be understood as attempting to complement a reductionist investigative strategy with an antireductionist explanatory strategy.


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Item Type: Conference or Workshop Item (UNSPECIFIED)
Creators:
CreatorsEmailORCID
Stotz, Karola
Keywords: principle of organization, self-organization, ontological reductionism, methodological reductionism, reductionist investigative strategy, antireductionist explanatory strategy, postgenomic biology
Subjects: General Issues > Reductionism/Holism
Depositing User: Karola Stotz
Date Deposited: 04 Feb 2008
Last Modified: 07 Oct 2010 15:16
Item ID: 3866
Subjects: General Issues > Reductionism/Holism
Date: 2007
URI: https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/3866

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