MA Thesis of Timothy Hilgenberg

On Reduction

Philosophy of Science

Birkbeck College, University of London

Abstract

In philosophy widespread use is made of Reduction. However, for some time its application or even applicability has been under investigation. With some scientists relying heavily on this tool and others inclined to be less convinced of its merits, the status of reductive arguments has been scrutinised by philosophers of science.

This dissertation is aimed at giving an overview on Reduction, from its types to its strengths and weaknesses. From the analysis of the views of the main protagonists and a summary of most pertinent views I will attempt to develop a picture of what is at issue. From there I will seek to highlight the framework conditions which need to be met before Reduction, as a valid form of inference, should be attempted.

A guiding idea to this dissertation was Heraclitus on opposites where in Fragment 60 he writes: "The road up and the road down are one and the same." In a similar way it seems Reduction is beset at one hand by contradiction while on the other it makes perfect sense. While up and down may be opposites, the road itself is the same, never mind which way one travels it.