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On subsets, multiple realization and explanatory autonomy of biology
1 : University of Lausanne
The major argument to apply Shoemaker's subset approach to functional properties is to avoid the epiphenomenalist threat (Shoemaker 2001). It may furthermore be read as spelling out what ontological reductionism may precisely mean for higher-level, functionally defined properties. However, such important advantages may come at a high price: it seems that the subset approach finally excludes multiple realization of functional properties and consequently the explanatory autonomy of higher-level sciences, like biology. This paper aims at challenging that implication.
