Overview
Conservative Reductionism sets out a new theory of the relationship between physics and the special sciences within the framework of functionalism. It argues that it is wrong-headed to conceive an opposition between functional and physical properties (or functional and physical descriptions, respectively) and to build an anti-reductionist argument on multiple realization. By contrast, (a) all properties that there are in the world, including the physical ones, are functional properties in the sense of being causal properties, and (b) all true descriptions (laws, theories) that the special sciences propose can in principle be reduced to physical descriptions (laws, theories) by means of functional reduction, despite multiple realization. The book develops arguments for (a) from the metaphysics of properties and the philosophy of physics. These arguments lead to a conservative ontological reductionism. It then develops functional reduction into a fully-fledged, conservative theory reduction by means of introducing functional sub-types that are coextensive with physical types, illustrating that conservative reductionism by means of case studies from biology (notably the relationship between classical and molecular genetics).
Full Product Details
Author: Michael Esfeld (University of Lausanne, Switzerland) ,
Christian Sachse (University of Lausanne, Switzerland)
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Inc
Imprint: Routledge
Weight: 0.317kg
ISBN: 9780815371892
ISBN 10: 0815371896
Pages: 212
Publication Date: 28 November 2017
Audience:
College/higher education
,
Tertiary & Higher Education
,
Undergraduate
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active
Availability: In Print
This item will be ordered in for you from one of our suppliers. Upon receipt, we will promptly dispatch it out to you. For in store availability, please contact us.
Reviews
'[T]his book is recommended as a thought-provoking re-assessment of ontology for contemporary physics, and of functional reduction in the special sciences.' - Cliff Hooker, University of Newcastle, Australia, Notre Dame Philosophical Reviews
'[T]his book is recommended as a thought-provoking re-assessment of ontology for contemporary physics, and of functional reduction in the special sciences.'- Cliff Hooker, University of Newcastle, Australia, Notre Dame Philosophical Reviews
'[T]his book is recommended as a thought-provoking re-assessment of ontology for contemporary physics, and of functional reduction in the special sciences.'– Cliff Hooker, University of Newcastle, Australia, Notre Dame Philosophical Reviews
Author Information
Michael Esfeld is Professor of Philosophy of Science at the University of Lausanne, Switzerland. His research interests include the metaphysics of science, the philosophy of mind, and the philosophy of physics. Christian Sachse is Senior Lecturer in history and philosophy of science at the University of Lausanne. His research interests include the metaphysics of science, the philosophy of mind, and the philosophy of biology.
