Batterman, Robert (2017) Autonomy of Theories: An Explanatory Problem. Nous.
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Abstract
This paper aims to draw attention to an explanatory problem posed by the existence of multiply realized or universal behavior exhibited by certain physical systems. The problem is to explain how it is possible that systems radically distinct at lower-scales can nevertheless exhibit identical or nearly identical behavior at upper-scales (typically everyday length and time scales). Theoretically this is reflected by the fact that continuum theories such as fluid mechanics are spectacularly successful at predicting, describing, and explaining fluid behaviors despite the fact that they do not recognize the discrete (atomic/molecular) nature of fluids. A standard attempt to reduce one (continuum) theory to another (atomic/molecular theory), is shown to fail to answer the appropriate question about autonomy.
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| Item Type: | Published Article or Volume | ||||||
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| Keywords: | Theories; autonomy; Explanation, Reduction Universality Multiple Realizability | ||||||
| Subjects: | General Issues > Explanation Specific Sciences > Physics General Issues > Reductionism/Holism General Issues > Structure of Theories |
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| Depositing User: | rbatterm rbatterm rbatterm | ||||||
| Date Deposited: | 06 Jan 2017 15:01 | ||||||
| Last Modified: | 06 Jan 2017 15:01 | ||||||
| Item ID: | 12734 | ||||||
| Journal or Publication Title: | Nous | ||||||
| Publisher: | Wiley | ||||||
| Official URL: | http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/nous.12... | ||||||
| DOI or Unique Handle: | 10.1111/nous.12191 | ||||||
| Subjects: | General Issues > Explanation Specific Sciences > Physics General Issues > Reductionism/Holism General Issues > Structure of Theories |
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| Date: | 5 January 2017 | ||||||
| URI: | https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/12734 |
Available Versions of this Item
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Reduction and Multiple Realizability. (deposited 11 Dec 2014 14:11)
- Autonomy of Theories: An Explanatory Problem. (deposited 06 Jan 2017 15:01) [Currently Displayed]
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