Slime Mould and Philosophy DOI
Matthew Sims

Published: Dec. 10, 2024

Physarum polycephalum, also known more colloquially as 'the blob', 'acellular slime mould', or just 'slime is a unicellular multinucleate protist that has continued to attract the interest of biologists over past century because its complex life cycle, unique physiology, morphology, and behaviour. More recently, attention shifted model organism for investigating putative cognitive capacities such decision making, learning, memory in organisms without nervous systems. The aim this Element illustrate how can be used valuable tool approaching various topics philosophy biology. behaviour not only pose challenge some received views biological processes but also, I shall argue, provide an opportunity clarify appropriately sharpen concepts underlying views.

Language: Английский

Philosophy of Physiology DOI Creative Commons
Maël Lemoine

Published: Jan. 27, 2025

Time is ripe to complement the question 'what health and disease?' in philosophy of medicine with a 'philosophy physiology.' Indeed, actors this debate share conviction that 'foundational' concept dictates scientific field what be considered healthy or pathological leaves it explore only facts mechanisms. Rejecting presupposition, physiology accepts biomedical sciences redefine their own object: healthy, pathological. various theories disease health, philosophers have rarely studied, form core research, too hastily as science 'without theories.' The Element identifies them, clarifies content, presuppositions, scope. Finally, proposes new about unity phenomenon: not do all diseases common?' but rather, 'why susceptibility universal necessary characteristic living beings?'

Language: Английский

Citations

1

Explanation in Biology DOI Creative Commons
Lauren N. Ross

Published: Jan. 16, 2025

This Element examines philosophical accounts of scientific explanation, particularly those that apply to biology and the life sciences. Two main categories explanation are examined in detail –causal explanations non-causal explanations. The first section this provides a brief history some basics on explanation. Section 2 covers causal by discussing foundational topics area, such as defining causation, selection, reductive is followed an examination distinct types including appeal mechanisms pathways, cascades. third non-causal, mathematical explanations, which have received significant attention philosophy Three discussed: topological constraint-based optimality efficiency minimal model title also available Open Access Cambridge Core.

Language: Английский

Citations

0

Controlled Experiments DOI
Jutta Schickore

Published: Dec. 4, 2024

Control is a key ingredient of scientific experimentation; arguably, an uncontrolled intervention or manipulation not even genuine experiment. Experiments in the life sciences, however, are notoriously difficult to control due complexity and variability living things. This Element discusses general features controlled experimentation, epistemic practical aspects, historical perspectives. It argues that experimentation has material-technical conceptual side. shifts focus from experiments, comparisons with control, broader issue controlling for background factors as epistemologically fundamental experimentation. To understand nature one needs consider making – design phase particularly conceptualization treatment factors. The experiments at same time constitutive knowledge can be gained experiment, contingent on research situation, historically shaped.

Language: Английский

Citations

3

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

Slime Mould and Philosophy DOI
Matthew Sims

Published: Dec. 10, 2024

Physarum polycephalum, also known more colloquially as 'the blob', 'acellular slime mould', or just 'slime is a unicellular multinucleate protist that has continued to attract the interest of biologists over past century because its complex life cycle, unique physiology, morphology, and behaviour. More recently, attention shifted model organism for investigating putative cognitive capacities such decision making, learning, memory in organisms without nervous systems. The aim this Element illustrate how can be used valuable tool approaching various topics philosophy biology. behaviour not only pose challenge some received views biological processes but also, I shall argue, provide an opportunity clarify appropriately sharpen concepts underlying views.

Language: Английский

Citations

2