Philosophy of Biology

Philosophers of science have become increasingly interested in biology over the past few decades. At first, the focus was on evolution but, as this series of articles demonstrates, the philosophy of biology now encompasses a wide range of topics. The subjects covered in this series include philosophical bias, synthetic biology, regeneration, stem cells, microbiology, immunology, big data, and the use of drawing to better understand a biological process.

Collection

1. 1. Cell Biology
   2. Developmental Biology

   Philosophy of Biology: The analysis of living systems can generate both knowledge and illusions

   Antony M Jose

   By thinking about experimental techniques in terms of six broad approaches – perturbation, visualization, substitution, characterization, reconstitution, and simulation – researchers may be able to generate more reliable inferences.
2. 1. Cancer Biology

   Philosophy of Biology: Characterizing causality in cancer

   Elena Rondeau, Nicolas Larmonier ... Andreas Bikfalvi

   Ideas about causality from philosophy can help scientists to better understand how cancerous tumors grow and spread in the body.
3. 1. Evolutionary Biology
   2. Genetics and Genomics

   Philosophy of Biology: The meanings of 'function' in biology and the problematic case of de novo gene emergence

   Diane Marie Keeling, Patricia Garza ... Anne-Ruxandra Carvunis

   A lexicon to help scientists and philosophers discuss the meaning of function in molecular biology more clearly is proposed.
4. 1. Neuroscience

   Philosophy of Biology: Seizing an opportunity

   Perry Zurn, Danielle S Bassett

   Historical texts offer researchers in neuroscience, philosophy and literature the opportunity to work together to explore mysteries of the mind and human behavior.

5. Philosophy of Biology: Health, ecology and the microbiome

   S Andrew Inkpen

   The interactions between communities of microbial species and their human hosts raise questions about the nature of health and disease.

6. Philosophy of Biology: The challenges of big data biology

   Sabina Leonelli

   Understanding how data were collected and processed is an essential element of big data biology.
7. 1. Immunology and Inflammation

   Philosophy of Biology: Immunology and individuality

   Thomas Pradeu

   Discussions about biological individuality and immunogenicity continue the long history of dialogue between philosophers and immunologists.
8. 1. Cell Biology

   Philosophy of Biology: Drawing and the dynamic nature of living systems

   Gemma Anderson, John Dupré, James G Wakefield

   Drawing may be a way to better understand a biological process and to explore and develop scientific ideas.

9. Philosophy of Biology: Philosophical bias is the one bias that science cannot avoid

   Fredrik Andersen, Rani Lill Anjum, Elena Rocca

   Scientists should be aware of the non-empirical assumptions that influence all kinds of research.

10. Philosophy of Biology: From primal scenes to synthetic cells

    Hub Zwart

    Philosophy may help to explore the potential impacts of synthetic cells.
11. 1. Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine

    Philosophy of Biology: Towards a classification of stem cells

    Lucie Laplane, Eric Solary

    The occurrence, progression and treatment of cancer may be linked to changes in the nature of stemness.

12. Philosophy of Biology: Understanding regeneration at different scales

    Kate MacCord, Jane Maienschein

    To understand how regeneration works across the different scales of living systems, we first need to identify the essential components underlying this process.