Resumen de On Bickle�s failure to give a formal account of the location in the new-wave reductionist spectrum

João Fonseca

• In this paper I discuss John Bickle�s attempt to provide a formal procedure to locate a certain reduction relation in the Hooker�s and Churchland�s New wave reductionist spectrum. Bickle�s main motivation is to react against the �Khunnian flavored,� internal-to-scientific-practice pragmatist solution endorsed by Patricia Churchland when faced with the lack of a formal and external way to identify a reduction in the spectrum.

  Bickle tries to solve this problem by reformulating Hooker�s insights within a structuralist framework so establishing an external-toscientific- practice formal solution. I show that Bickle fails on his attempt and, as a consequence, we should adopt Patricia Churchland pragmatic stance regarding reductionist and ontological decisions.