Ontological reduction and molecular structure |
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| Authors: | Robin Findlay Hendry |
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| Institution: | 1. Laboratory of Applied Materials Chemistry (CMA), University of Namur, 61 rue de Bruxelles, 5000 Namur, Belgium;2. Department of Applied Science and Technology, Polytechnic of Turin, Institute of Chemistry, Corso Duca degli Abruzzi, 24, 10129 Torino, Italy;1. Centre for Surface Chemistry and Catalysis, University of Leuven (KU Leuven), Kasteelpark Arenberg 23, 3001 Heverlee, Belgium;2. Unit of Nanomaterial Chemistry (CNano), University of Namur (UNAMUR), Department of Chemistry, Rue de Bruxelles 61, 5000 Namur, Belgium;1. Unit of Nanomaterial Chemistry (CNano), University of Namur (UNAMUR), Department of Chemistry, Rue de Bruxelles 61, 5000 Namur, Belgium;2. Centre for Surface Chemistry and Catalysis, University of Leuven (KU Leuven), Kasteelpark Arenberg 23, 3001 Heverlee, Belgium |
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| Abstract: | In this paper I outline how the debate concerning the intertheoretic reduction of chemistry reaches a stalemate. One way forward is to switch discussion to the issue of ontological reduction and emergence, so I present a counternomic criterion of emergence that should be acceptable to both sides of the discussion. I then examine the bearing on this debate of the symmetry problem in molecular quantum mechanics, as presented by Woolley and Sutcliffe (1977). I conclude by addressing some objections to emergentist positions: that they posit miraculous violations of physical laws; that emergence is obscure and of doubtful coherence; that causal theories of property identity render emergence, under the counternomic criterion, metaphysically impossible. |
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