Philosophy of Biology: About the Fossilization of Disciplines and Other Embryonic Thoughts
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors focus on a running dispute between Werner Callebaut's naturalistic view and Filip Kolen and Gertrudis Van de Vijver's transcendentalist view on the nature of philosophy of biology and the relation of this discipline to biological sciences, and suggest a redirection in discussion towards a reflection on the possibilities of incorporating philosophy in interdisciplinary research, and on finding concrete research questions which are of interest both to the philosopher and to the biologist.
Abstract: This paper focuses on a running dispute between Werner Callebaut’s naturalistic view and Filip Kolen and Gertrudis Van de Vijver’s transcendentalist view on the nature of philosophy of biology and the relation of this discipline to biological sciences. It is argued that, despite differences in opinion, both positions agree that philosophy of biology’s ultimate goal is to ‘move’ biology or at least be ‘meaningful’ to it. In order to make this goal clear and effective, more is needed than a polarizing debate which hardly touches upon biology. Therefore, a redirection in discussion is suggested towards a reflection on the possibilities of incorporating philosophy in interdisciplinary research, and on finding concrete research questions which are of interest both to the philosopher and to the biologist.
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01 Jan 2006
TL;DR: In this article, the societal debate on genetically modified organisms (GMOs) gradually extended in terms of actors involved and concerns reflected, and the lasting skeptical and/or ambivalent attitude of Europeans towards agro-food biotechnology is interpreted as signaling an ongoing social request and quest for an evaluation of biotechnology with Sense and Sensibility.
Abstract: Via a historical reconstruction, this paper primarily demonstrates how the societal debate on genetically modified organisms (GMOs) gradually extended in terms of actors involved and concerns reflected. It is argued that the implementation of recombinant DNA technology out of the laboratory and into civil society entailed a “complex of concerns.” In this complex, distinctions between environmental, agricultural, socio-economic, and ethical issues proved to be blurred. This fueled the confusion between the wider debate on genetic modification and the risk assessment of transgenic crops in the European Union. In this paper, the lasting skeptical and/or ambivalent attitude of Europeans towards agro-food biotechnology is interpreted as signaling an ongoing social request – and even a quest – for an evaluation of biotechnology with Sense and Sensibility. In this (re)quest, a broader-than-scientific dimension is sought for that allows addressing the GMO debate in a more “sensible” way, whilst making “sense” of the different stances taken in it. Here, the restyling of the European regulatory frame on transgenic agro-food products and of science communication models are discussed and taken to be indicative of the (re)quest to move from a merely scientific evaluation and risk-based policy towards a socially more robust evaluation that takes the “non-scientific” concerns at stake in the GMO debate seriously.
14 citations
TL;DR: I discuss various reactions to my article “Again, what the philosophy of science is not”, most of which concern the naturalism issue, the place of the Philosophy of biology within philosophy ofScience and philosophy at large, and the proper tasks of the philosophyof biology.
Abstract: I discuss various reactions to my article “Again, what the philosophy of science is not” [Callebaut (Acta Biotheor 53:92–122 (2005a))], most of which concern the naturalism issue, the place of the philosophy of biology within philosophy of science and philosophy at large, and the proper tasks of the philosophy of biology.
4 citations
01 Jan 2023
2 citations
01 Jan 2009
TL;DR: It is shown how Pauli speculatively explored how evolutionary theory can find inspiration in quantum theory and in its related concept of observer-dependency.
Abstract: Wolfgang Pauli is known as one of the most famous physicists of the 20th century. Next to an intensive treatment of physics, his impressive correspondence with fellow physicists also demonstrates a vivid interest in psychology and biology. Reflections on the mind-brain problem and on topics such as causality and evolutionary theory are readily present. In this paper, some central passages in this correspondence are discussed and linked to more current debates in philosophy of science and philosophy of biology. It is shown how Pauli speculatively explored how evolutionary theory can find inspiration in quantum theory and in its related concept of observer-dependency. Contra Kalervo Laurikainen’s interpretation, it is argued that Pauli’s criticism remains true to a naturalistic view on science and biology.
2 citations
01 Jan 2012
TL;DR: This paper addresses multidisciplinarity by focusing on biology and focuses on philosophy of biology and its needed contribution to the growing and changing multidisciplinary world of evolution.
Abstract: This paper addresses multidisciplinarity by focusing on biology. (1) The cooperation between biology and philosophy is described, mainly through David Hull’s (1989, 2002) evaluations and recommendations. (2) Biology is described as a multidisciplinary and synthetic science in itself, and the relevance and variety of visions of the Modern Synthesis is hinted to. (3) The rising perspective of an Extended Evolutionary Synthesis, with a particular emphasis on the example of evolutionary developmental biology (EvoDevo) and its integrative impact on the theory, is problematized. (4) The attention goes again on philosophy of biology and its needed contribution to the growing and changing multidisciplinary world of evolution.
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TL;DR: The central dogma of molecular biology deals with the detailed residue-by-residue transfer of sequential information and states that such information cannot be transferred from protein to either protein or nucleic acid.
Abstract: The central dogma of molecular biology deals with the detailed residue-by-residue transfer of sequential information. It states that such information cannot be transferred from protein to either protein or nucleic acid.
3,007 citations
Journal Article•
1,294 citations
Book•
01 Jan 2001
TL;DR: The book provides historical background to DST, recent theoretical findings on the mechanisms of heredity, applications of the DST framework to behavioural development, implications of DST for the philosophy of biology, and critical reactions to D ST.
Abstract: Many books on evolution neglect the complex dynamics of ontogeny (development) necessary to produce the mature creature They either ignore it or reduce it to the transmission of genetic information This contributes to unproductive debates on "nature versus nurture" Developmental systems theory (DST) offers a new conceptual framework with which to resolve such debates DST views ontogeny as contingent cycles of interaction among a varied set of developmental resources, no one of which controls the process These factors include DNA, cellular and organismic structure, and social and ecological interactions DST has excited interest from a wide range of researchers, from molecular biologists to anthropologists, because of its ability to integrate evolutionary theory and other disciplines without falling into traditional oppositions The book provides historical background to DST, recent theoretical findings on the mechanisms of heredity, applications of the DST framework to behavioural development, implications of DST for the philosophy of biology, and critical reactions to DST
769 citations
Book•
04 Apr 1993
TL;DR: What Is Evolutionary Theory?
Abstract: * What Is Evolutionary Theory? * Creationism * Fitness * The Units of Selection Problem * Adaptionism * Systematics * Sociobiology and the Extension of Evolutionary Theory
676 citations