B04: A frame-theoretic investigation of unification and reduction in scientific theories

Funding period: 01.07.2011 - 30.06.2015

We will begin the project by providing a comparative analysis of existing notions of reduction and unification. On the basis of this analysis we will propose our own frame-theoretic concepts of these notions. We will then proceed to test the frame-theoretic concepts of reduction and unification against historically-informed case studies from 19th and 20th century physics and chemistry and from post-Darwinian biology. The work on these case studies will help us establish the sorts of logical operations on frames needed to adequately represent the more dynamical aspects of reduction and unification. Last but not least our results shall be used, through collaboration with project A01 and other projects, develop end extend the formal theory of frames.

Head of the project

Gerhard Schurz
Institut für Philosophie
Universitätsstr. 1
40225 Düsseldorf
Phone: +49 211 81-129 14
Email: schurz@phil.uni-duesseldorf.de 

Staff

Dr. Ioannis Votsis
Tel: +49 211 81-121 98
E-Mail: votsisphil.uni-duesseldorfde

Mats Dietrich
Tel: +49 211 81-121 98
E-Mail:Mats.Dietrich@uni-duesseldorf.de