Lorenzetti, Lorenzo (2024) The Justification Gap Problem for Theory Reduction. [Preprint]
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Abstract
Our most successful and widely adopted models of reduction between scientific theories can be categorized into Nagelian and mathematical approaches. We argue that both accounts are critically incomplete due to what we term the 'justification gap problem'. This issue stems from the lack of justification for the mathematical mappings and bridge laws these approaches use. We propose that integrating these models with a functionalist view of theoretical quantities can bridge this gap. Hence Nagelian and mathematical models should be turned into forms of functional reduction, a less common but increasingly relevant alternative approach to theory reduction. This conclusion underscores the superiority of functional reduction, revises how we conceptualise Nagelian and mathematical reduction, and counters recent arguments raised by Knox and Wallace (2023) on functionalism and reduction.
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| Item Type: | Preprint | ||||||
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| Additional Information: | Draft | ||||||
| Keywords: | Reduction; Functionalism; Nagelian reduction; Mathematical reduction; Bridge laws | ||||||
| Subjects: | General Issues > Explanation Specific Sciences > Physics General Issues > Reductionism/Holism General Issues > Structure of Theories |
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| Depositing User: | Lorenzo Lorenzetti | ||||||
| Date Deposited: | 07 Aug 2024 15:42 | ||||||
| Last Modified: | 07 Aug 2024 15:42 | ||||||
| Item ID: | 23776 | ||||||
| Subjects: | General Issues > Explanation Specific Sciences > Physics General Issues > Reductionism/Holism General Issues > Structure of Theories |
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| Date: | August 2024 | ||||||
| URI: | https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/23776 |
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