Phylogenetically distant animals sleep: why do sleep researchers care? DOI Creative Commons
William Bechtel

Biology & Philosophy, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 39(1)

Published: Dec. 29, 2023

Abstract Philosophers examining mechanistic explanations in biology have identified heuristic strategies scientists use discovering mechanisms. This paper examines the strategy of investigating phylogenetically distant model organisms, using research on sleep fruit flies as an example. At time was discovered 2000 next to nothing known about mechanisms regulating and what they could reveal those us. One relatively straightforward line focused homologous genes humans, understand roles their homologs played controlling But other a higher level organization—the neural networks involved homeostatic circadian control sleep. raises puzzle—given that fly vertebrate brains are organized very differently, how regulation serve informative sleep? I argue basic design such can be conserved even composition mechanism changes researchers hope designs deciphered models for understanding humans.

Language: Английский

Transformative creativity in life: an epigenetic perspective based on biological autonomy DOI
Ning Zong

Synthese, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 205(1)

Published: Jan. 9, 2025

Language: Английский

Citations

0

Biological Organization DOI Creative Commons
Leonardo Bich

Published: Dec. 4, 2024

Living systems are complex made of components that tend to degrade, but nonetheless they maintain themselves far from equilibrium. This requires living extract energy and materials the environment use them build repair their parts by regulating activities based on internal external conditions in ways allow keep living. The philosophical theoretical approach discussed this Element aims explain these features biological appealing organization. It addresses classical more recent issues philosophy biology, fromorigins definitions life teleology functions, an original perspective mainly focused system, its physiology behavior, rather than evolution. discusses revises conceptual foundations presents updated version it. title is also available as Open Access Cambridge Core.

Language: Английский

Citations

2

Organisational teleology 2.0: Grounding biological purposiveness in regulatory control DOI Creative Commons
Leonardo Bich

Ratio, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 37(4), P. 327 - 340

Published: May 24, 2024

Abstract This paper critically revises the organisational account of teleology, which argues that living systems are first and foremost oriented towards a goal: maintaining their own conditions existence. It points out some limitations this account, mainly in capability to for richness complexity biological purposeful behaviours. identifies reason these theoretical grounding specifically too narrow notion closure constraints, focused on self‐production. proposes ground an teleology system not just produce replace parts, but control internal dynamics behaviours such way as maintain themselves. framework has two advantages. better captures distinctive features organisations consequently active nature By doing so, it makes possible apply beyond minimal models real cases.

Language: Английский

Citations

1

Phylogenetically distant animals sleep: why do sleep researchers care? DOI Creative Commons
William Bechtel

Biology & Philosophy, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 39(1)

Published: Dec. 29, 2023

Abstract Philosophers examining mechanistic explanations in biology have identified heuristic strategies scientists use discovering mechanisms. This paper examines the strategy of investigating phylogenetically distant model organisms, using research on sleep fruit flies as an example. At time was discovered 2000 next to nothing known about mechanisms regulating and what they could reveal those us. One relatively straightforward line focused homologous genes humans, understand roles their homologs played controlling But other a higher level organization—the neural networks involved homeostatic circadian control sleep. raises puzzle—given that fly vertebrate brains are organized very differently, how regulation serve informative sleep? I argue basic design such can be conserved even composition mechanism changes researchers hope designs deciphered models for understanding humans.

Language: Английский

Citations

0