In thephilosophy of science, thespecial sciences are all sciences other thanfundamental physics, including, for example,chemistry,biology, andneuroscience. The distinction reflects a view that "all events which fall under the laws of any science are physical events and hence fall under the laws of physics".[1]
In this view, all sciences except fundamental physics are special sciences. However, the legitimacy of this view, and the status of other sciences and their relation to physics, are unresolved matters.Jerry Fodor, a key writer on this subject, refers to "manyphilosophers" who hold this position, but in an opposing argument he has argued forstrong autonomy, concluding that the special sciences are not even in principle reducible to physics.[1] As such, Fodor has often been credited for having helped turn the tide againstreductionist physicalism.[2]
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