Conservative Reductionism

Nonfiction, Religion & Spirituality, Philosophy, Metaphysics, Mind & Body
Cover of the book Conservative Reductionism by Michael Esfeld, Christian Sachse, Taylor and Francis
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Michael Esfeld, Christian Sachse ISBN: 9781136728495
Publisher: Taylor and Francis Publication: May 9, 2011
Imprint: Routledge Language: English
Author: Michael Esfeld, Christian Sachse
ISBN: 9781136728495
Publisher: Taylor and Francis
Publication: May 9, 2011
Imprint: Routledge
Language: English

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).

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

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).

More books from Taylor and Francis

Cover of the book Education by the Numbers and the Making of Society by Michael Esfeld, Christian Sachse
Cover of the book Theories of International Relations by Michael Esfeld, Christian Sachse
Cover of the book Psychology and Environmental Change by Michael Esfeld, Christian Sachse
Cover of the book Cartesian Philosophy and the Flesh by Michael Esfeld, Christian Sachse
Cover of the book Improving Criminal Justice Workplaces by Michael Esfeld, Christian Sachse
Cover of the book Method In Madness by Michael Esfeld, Christian Sachse
Cover of the book Screening China's Soft Power by Michael Esfeld, Christian Sachse
Cover of the book Capital City by Michael Esfeld, Christian Sachse
Cover of the book Feminism and Modern Philosophy by Michael Esfeld, Christian Sachse
Cover of the book Water Resources Management in the People's Republic of China by Michael Esfeld, Christian Sachse
Cover of the book Rewriting the Thirties by Michael Esfeld, Christian Sachse
Cover of the book Phrase Structures in Competition by Michael Esfeld, Christian Sachse
Cover of the book American Memory in Henry James by Michael Esfeld, Christian Sachse
Cover of the book The Obesity Epidemic by Michael Esfeld, Christian Sachse
Cover of the book Treating Dissociative and Personality Disorders by Michael Esfeld, Christian Sachse
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy