MCMP – Philosophy of Science

Theory Reduction in Physics: A Model-Based, Dynamical Systems Approach


Listen Later

Joshua Rosaler (Pittsburgh) gives a talk at the MCMP conference "Reduction and Emergence in the Sciences" (14-16 November, 2013) titled "Theory Reduction in Physics: A Model-Based, Dynamical Systems Approach". Abstract: I elaborate an approach to reduction in physics that is distinct from the Nagelian and limit-based approaches that have been discussed most widely in the philosophical literature. This approach, which I call ‘Dynamical Systems (DS) Reduction’, is intended to apply to the reduction of theories whose models can be formulated as dynamical systems models. Importantly, this is the case with most physical theories, including classical mechanics, classical field theory, quantum mechanics and quantum field theory. After setting out the basic elements of DS reduction, I compare this approach with the limit-based and Nagelian approaches, arguing in each case that the DS approach does better. In particular, I highlight a number of significant parallels between the DS and Nagelian approaches, specifically relating to their use of special correspondences between theories (what are most commonly called ‘bridge laws’ in Nagelian approaches) to identify those elements of the low-level theory that emulate the behavior of certain elements in the high-level theory. Despite these similarities, I argue that DS reduction, in its use such correspondences (which I call ‘bridge maps’) does not face the ambiguities or difficulties that are often associated with Nagelian bridge laws: in particular, I argue that it avoids ambiguities as to whether these correspondences are to be regarded as conventions or empirically substantive claims, as well addressing concerns about multiple realisability.
...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

MCMP – Philosophy of ScienceBy MCMP Team

  • 4
  • 4
  • 4
  • 4
  • 4

4

1 ratings


More shows like MCMP – Philosophy of Science

View all
Theoretical Physics Schools (ASC) by The Arnold Sommerfeld Center for Theoretical Physics (ASC)

Theoretical Physics Schools (ASC)

2 Listeners

Fakultät für Chemie und Pharmazie - Digitale Hochschulschriften der LMU - Teil 03/06 by Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München

Fakultät für Chemie und Pharmazie - Digitale Hochschulschriften der LMU - Teil 03/06

0 Listeners

MCMP – Mathematical Philosophy (Archive 2011/12) by MCMP Team

MCMP – Mathematical Philosophy (Archive 2011/12)

6 Listeners

Hegel lectures by Robert Brandom, LMU Munich by Robert Brandom, Axel Hutter

Hegel lectures by Robert Brandom, LMU Munich

6 Listeners

LMU Rechtsphilosophie by Prof. Dr. jur. Dr. jur. h.c. mult. Bernd Schünemann

LMU Rechtsphilosophie

0 Listeners

Epistemology and Philosophy of Science: Prof. Dr. Stephan Hartmann – SD by Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München

Epistemology and Philosophy of Science: Prof. Dr. Stephan Hartmann – SD

2 Listeners

MCMP – Philosophy of Physics by MCMP Team

MCMP – Philosophy of Physics

3 Listeners

Strings Conference 2012 (LMU) by Prof. Dr. Dieter Lüst et al.

Strings Conference 2012 (LMU)

0 Listeners

Women Thinkers in Antiquity and the Middle Ages - SD by Peter Adamson

Women Thinkers in Antiquity and the Middle Ages - SD

0 Listeners