Intertheoretic reduction
Encyclopedia
In philosophy of science
, intertheoretic reduction occurs when one theory makes predictions that perfectly or almost perfectly match the predictions of a second theory. Newtonian mechanics, for example, can be reduced to general relativity
for velocities far less than c
.
Philosophy of science
The philosophy of science is concerned with the assumptions, foundations, methods and implications of science. It is also concerned with the use and merit of science and sometimes overlaps metaphysics and epistemology by exploring whether scientific results are actually a study of truth...
, intertheoretic reduction occurs when one theory makes predictions that perfectly or almost perfectly match the predictions of a second theory. Newtonian mechanics, for example, can be reduced to general relativity
General relativity
General relativity or the general theory of relativity is the geometric theory of gravitation published by Albert Einstein in 1916. It is the current description of gravitation in modern physics...
for velocities far less than c
Speed of light
The speed of light in vacuum, usually denoted by c, is a physical constant important in many areas of physics. Its value is 299,792,458 metres per second, a figure that is exact since the length of the metre is defined from this constant and the international standard for time...
.