A Sketch of the Alternative

To assess this issue, it will be useful to give the view that theory-reduction is prior to ontological reduction a label. I suggest referring to it as the holistic view on reduction , or hoUsm for short. It consists in the idea that either, ontological 

van Riel, The Concept of Reduction, Philosophical Smdies Series 121, 

In contrast, on the view defended here, it is semantic features of expressions that give rise to diversity. Directionality is accounted for in these terms. According to holism, it is standing in a relation to scientific theories that give rise to diversity -any ontological conception of reduction turns out to be merely derivative upon a concept of theory reduction. Similarly, directionality will be accounted for in terms of differences between theories. This view is widespread. But why to come up with the idea that theory-reduction is more basic in the first place  

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