Biological Complexity and Integrative PluralismThis fine collection of essays by a leading philosopher of science presents a defense of integrative pluralism as the best description for the complexity of scientific inquiry today. The tendency of some scientists to unify science by reducing all theories to a few fundamental laws of the most basic particles that populate our universe is ill-suited to the biological sciences, which study multi-component, multi-level, evolved complex systems. This book will be of interest to students and professionals in the philosophy of science |
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Contents
Introduction | 1 |
Constitutive Complexity | 13 |
21 Compositional Complexity and the Superorganism Metaphor | 14 |
Dynamic Complexity | 38 |
31 The Evolution of Division of Labor | 39 |
Evolved Diversity | 58 |
41 Competing Units of Selection? A Case of Symbiosis | 59 |
42 The Units of Behavior in evolutionary Explanations | 75 |
52 Dimensions of Scientific Law | 126 |
Lessons from Biology | 147 |
An Inadequte Representation for Biological Contingency | 161 |
Pluralism or Disunity | 179 |
61 Critics of Unity of Science | 180 |
62 On Pluralism and Competition in Evolutionary | 194 |
63 Integrative Pluralism | 208 |
| 219 | |
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Common terms and phrases
adaptation addition allow alternative analysis answers appeal apply approach argue argument behavior biological causal cause cells claims colony competition complex components consequences contingent contribution depend described determine developmental differential dispositional diversity division of labor domain effect elements entities environment evidence evolution evolutionary evolved example explanations explanatory fact factors fails female fitness foraging function gene genetic given hence ideal identified individual integration interaction knowledge laws logical male means mechanisms metaphor Mitchell models multiple natural selection occur operation organism particular phenotypic physical pluralism population practice present problem produce properties queen question rape relations relationship replicator represent representations reproductive success response result sampling scientific similar single social insects specific strategy structure suggest superorganism task theory thresholds tion trait transmission true truth understanding unit universal variation variety workers
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Bibliographic information
| Title | Biological Complexity and Integrative Pluralism Cambridge Studies in Philosophy and Biology |
| Author | Sandra D. Mitchell |
| Edition | illustrated |
| Publisher | Cambridge University Press, 2003 |
| ISBN | 0521520797, 9780521520799 |
| Length | 244 pages |
| Subjects | › Philosophy / Ethics & Moral Philosophy Philosophy / General Science / Essays Science / Philosophy & Social Aspects |
| Export Citation | BiBTeX EndNote RefMan |