The Implications of Interactions for Science and Philosophy

TitleThe Implications of Interactions for Science and Philosophy
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2013
AuthorsGershenson, C
JournalFoundations of Science
VolumeEarly View
Abstract

Reductionism has dominated science and philosophy for centuries. Complexity has recently shown that interactions–-which reductionism neglects–-are relevant for understanding phenomena. When interactions are considered, reductionism becomes limited in several aspects. In this paper, I argue that interactions imply non-reductionism, non-materialism, non-predictability, non-Platonism, and non-nihilism. As alternatives to each of these, holism, informism, adaptation, contextuality, and meaningfulness are put forward, respectively. A worldview that includes interactions not only describes better our world, but can help to solve many open scientific, philosophical, and social problems caused by implications of reductionism.

URLhttp://arxiv.org/abs/1105.2827
DOI10.1007/s10699-012-9305-8