Emergence and Reduction in Physics

This Element provides an overview of debates in philosophy and physics around emergence and reduction, suggesting that specific notions of emergence, such as few-many and coarse-grained emergence, are compatible with intertheoretic reduction. It also addresses issues such as the comparison between parts-whole emergence, the emergence of effective theories, infinite limits, intertheoretic reduction, and the explanation of universal and cooperative behavior. The focus is on classical phase transitions and condensed matter physics, with the aim of drawing general conclusions on emergence and reduction that can apply to a range of case studies.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 75 pages
Publication date: 06 October 2022
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

This Element provides an overview of some of the most significant debates in philosophy and physics surrounding the topics of emergence and reduction, and proposes a compatibilist view of emergence and reduction. In particular, it suggests that specific notions of emergence, which the author refers to as few-many emergence and coarse-grained emergence, are compatible with intertheoretic reduction. Some further issues that will be addressed concern the comparison between parts-whole emergence and few-many emergence, the emergence of effective (-field) theories, the use of infinite limits, the notion of intertheoretic reduction, and the explanation of universal and cooperative behavior. Although the focus will be principally on classical phase transitions and other examples from condensed matter physics, the main aim is to draw some general conclusions on the topics of emergence and reduction that can help us understand a variety of case-studies ranging from high-energy physics to astrophysics.

Introduction:
The study of emergence and reduction has been a central theme in philosophy and physics for centuries. While these concepts have been widely discussed, there is still much debate and disagreement about their nature and implications. In this Element, we will provide an overview of some of the most important debates in philosophy and physics around the topics of emergence and reduction, and propose a compatibilist view of emergence and reduction.

Few-Many Emergence:
One of the most significant debates in philosophy and physics around the topics of emergence and reduction is the debate between few-many emergence and parts-whole emergence. Few-many emergence argues that complex systems can emerge from simpler systems through the process of gradual accumulation of parts. Parts-whole emergence, on the other hand, argues that complex systems can only emerge from whole systems through a process of sudden transformation or metamorphosis.

Coarse-Grained Emergence:
Another important debate in philosophy and physics around the topics of emergence and reduction is the debate between coarse-grained emergence and fine-grained emergence. Coarse-grained emergence argues that complex systems can emerge from simpler systems through the process of aggregation or clustering of parts. Fine-grained emergence, on the other hand, argues that complex systems can only emerge from simpler systems through the process of gradual refinement or specialization of parts.

Intertheoretic Reduction:
A key concept in the debate around emergence and reduction is intertheoretic reduction. Intertheoretic reduction is the process of explaining complex phenomena in terms of simpler phenomena. For example, in physics, intertheoretic reduction is used to explain complex systems in terms of fundamental particles or fields. In philosophy, intertheoretic reduction is used to explain complex systems in terms of simpler mental concepts or processes.

Compatibilist View of Emergence and Reduction:
In this Element, we will propose a compatibilist view of emergence and reduction. According to the compatibilist view, specific notions of emergence, such as few-many emergence and coarse-grained emergence, are compatible with intertheoretic reduction. This means that we can explain complex systems in terms of simpler systems without necessarily compromising the explanatory power of the simpler systems.

Comparison between Parts-Whole Emergence and Few-Many Emergence:
One important issue that will be addressed in this Element is the comparison between parts-whole emergence and few-many emergence. While both approaches can explain complex systems, they have different implications for our understanding of the nature of emergence. Parts-whole emergence argues that complex systems can only emerge from whole systems through a process of sudden transformation or metamorphosis. Few-many emergence, on the other hand, argues that complex systems can emerge from simpler systems through the process of gradual accumulation of parts.

Emergence of Effective (-Field) Theories:
Another important issue that will be addressed in this Element is the emergence of effective (-field) theories. Effective (-field) theories are theories that are able to explain a wide range of phenomena without making any reference to the underlying mechanisms or processes. For example, in physics, effective field theories are used to explain the behavior of particles and fields at the quantum level. In philosophy, effective field theories are used to explain the behavior of minds
of individuals and societies.

Use of Infinite Limits:
In the debate around emergence and reduction, the use of infinite limits is also an important issue. Infinite limits are used to describe phenomena that occur in systems that are beyond the scope of our current understanding or technology. For example, in physics, infinite limits are used to describe the behavior of black holes and other cosmic objects that are too massive to be directly observed. In philosophy, infinite limits are used to describe the behavior of consciousness and other non-physical phenomena that are beyond the scope of our current understanding.

Intertheoretic Reduction and the Explanation of Universal and Cooperative Behavior:
Finally, in this Element, we will discuss the notion of intertheoretic reduction and its implications for the explanation of universal and cooperative behavior. Universal and cooperative behavior refers to the behavior of individuals and societies that is consistent across different contexts and situations. For example, individuals tend to cooperate with others in order to achieve common goals, and societies tend to exhibit universal laws of behavior that govern the behavior of individuals and groups.

Conclusion:
In conclusion, the study of emergence and reduction is a complex and multifaceted topic that has been debated for centuries. While there is still much disagreement about the nature and implications of these concepts, we propose a compatibilist view of emergence and reduction that suggests that specific notions of emergence, such as few-many emergence and coarse-grained emergence, are compatible with intertheoretic reduction. By addressing the comparison between parts-whole emergence and few-many emergence, the emergence of effective (-field) theories, the use of infinite limits, the notion of intertheoretic reduction, and the explanation of universal and cooperative behavior, we hope to draw some general conclusions on the topics of emergence and reduction that can help us understand a variety of case-studies ranging from high-energy physics to astrophysics.

Weight: 426g
ISBN-13: 9781108814065