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Biological Complexity and Integrative Pluralism

Biological Complexity and Integrative Pluralism

Biological Complexity and Integrative Pluralism

Sandra D. Mitchell, University of Pittsburgh
November 2003
Available
Paperback
9780521520799

    This fine collection of essays by a leading philosopher of science presents a defence 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 integrative pluralism is the most efficient way to understand the different and complex processes - historical and interactive - that generate biological phenomena. This book will be of interest to students and professionals in the philosophy of science.

    • A collection of essays by a leading philosopher of science
    • Puts forward the theory of integrative pluralism as the best explanation for the complexity of biological systems

    Product details

    November 2003
    Paperback
    9780521520799
    262 pages
    229 × 152 × 14 mm
    0.36kg
    14 b/w illus. 5 tables
    Available

    Table of Contents

    • 1. Introduction
    • Part I. Complexity:
    • 2. Constitutive complexity
    • 3. Dynamic complexity
    • 4. Evolved diversity
    • Part II. Pluralism:
    • 5. Laws
    • 6. Pluralism or disunity.
      Author
    • Sandra D. Mitchell , University of Pittsburgh