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Promises and Limits of Reductionism in the Biomedical Sciences
Van Regenmortel
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Description for Promises and Limits of Reductionism in the Biomedical Sciences
Hardcover. Presents a balance between science and philosophy. To explain and treat human disease, it is nearly always necessary to move beyond genetic reductionism and take into account holistic and integrative aspects that require the context of the patient in his biological and psychological entirety. Editor(s): Van Regenmortel, Marc H. V.; Hull, David L. Num Pages: 382 pages, index. BIC Classification: HP; M; PS. Category: (P) Professional & Vocational; (UP) Postgraduate, Research & Scholarly; (UU) Undergraduate. Dimension: 231 x 155 x 28. Weight in Grams: 678.
Reductionism as a scientific methodology has been extraordinarily successful in biology. However, recent developments in molecular biology have shown that reductionism is seriously inadequate in dealing with the mind-boggling complexity of integrated biological systems.
This title presents an appropriate balance between science and philosophy and covers traditional philosophical treatments of reductionism as well as the benefits and shortcomings of reductionism in particular areas of science.
Discussing the issue of reductionism in the practice of medicine it takes into account the holistic and integrative aspects that require the context of the patient in his biological and psychological entirety.
The emerging picture is that what first seems like hopeless disagreements turn out to be differences in emphasis. Although genes play an important role in biology, the focus on genetics and genomics has often been misleading. The consensus view leads to pluralism: both reductionst methods and a more integrative approach to biological complexity are required, depending on the questions that are asked.
* An even balance of contributions from scientists and philosophers of science - representing a unique interchange between both communities interested in reductionism
This title presents an appropriate balance between science and philosophy and covers traditional philosophical treatments of reductionism as well as the benefits and shortcomings of reductionism in particular areas of science.
Discussing the issue of reductionism in the practice of medicine it takes into account the holistic and integrative aspects that require the context of the patient in his biological and psychological entirety.
The emerging picture is that what first seems like hopeless disagreements turn out to be differences in emphasis. Although genes play an important role in biology, the focus on genetics and genomics has often been misleading. The consensus view leads to pluralism: both reductionst methods and a more integrative approach to biological complexity are required, depending on the questions that are asked.
* An even balance of contributions from scientists and philosophers of science - representing a unique interchange between both communities interested in reductionism
Product Details
Format
Hardback
Publication date
2002
Publisher
John Wiley and Sons Ltd United Kingdom
Number of pages
382
Condition
New
Number of Pages
382
Place of Publication
New York, United States
ISBN
9780471498506
SKU
V9780471498506
Shipping Time
Usually ships in 7 to 11 working days
Ref
99-50
About Van Regenmortel
David L. Hull has been teaching philosophy of biology for almost forty years. He received his PhD from the Department of History and Philosophy of Science at Indiana University and has taught at the University of Wisconisn-Milwuaukee and Northwestern University. He has published a dozen books and anthologies and over a hundred papers. He is past president of the Philosophy of Science Association, The Society for Systematic Zoology and the International Society for the History, Philosophy and Social Studies of Biology. He is a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Marc Van Regenmortel was for 20 years Director of the Immunochemistry Laboratory at the CNRS Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology, in Strasbourg, France. Educated in Brussels, Belgium, he received his PhD degree (1961) in Virology from the University of Cape Town, South Africa and held professorship appointments at several Universities in South Africa and France. The author or editor of 14 books in virology and immunochemistry, he has published over 350 scientific papers and reviews. He is Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Molecular Recognition and of Archives of Virology, an Executive Editor of Analytical Biochemistry and serves on the editorial boards of seven other journals. He was for nine years (1990-1999) Secretary General of the International Union of Microbiological Societies and for three years (1987-1990) Chairman of its Virology Division. He is since 1996 the President of the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses.
Reviews for Promises and Limits of Reductionism in the Biomedical Sciences
"...will stimulate anyone with an interest in philosophy or science to reflect on reductionism...fruitful dialogues offer a rich trove of insights..." (The Quarterly Review of Biology, Sept 2003)