more from 'Unity of Science as a Working Hypothesis' by H.Putnam/P.Oppenheim

Single Idea 20653

[catalogued under 14. Science / D. Explanation / 2. Types of Explanation / j. Explanations by reduction]

Full Idea

There are six 'reductive levels' in science: social groups, (multicellular) living things, cells, molecules, atoms, and elementary particles.

Gist of Idea

Six reduction levels: groups, lives, cells, molecules, atoms, particles

Source

report of H.Putnam/P.Oppenheim (Unity of Science as a Working Hypothesis [1958]) by Peter Watson - Convergence 10 'Intro'

Book Reference

Watson,Peter: 'Convergence' [Simon and Schuster 2016], p.235


A Reaction

I have the impression that fields are seen as more fundamental that elementary particles. What is the status of the 'laws' that are supposed to govern these things? What is the status of space and time within this picture?