Are Species Real? : An Essay on the Metaphysics of Species

What are species? Are they objective features of the world? If so, what sort of features are they? Slater presents a novel approach to these questions, aiming to accommodating the attractions to both realism and antirealism about species. Examining stem cell biology from a philosophy of science perspective, this book clarifies the field's central concept, the stem cell, as well as its aims, methods, models, explanations and evidential challenges. The first chapters discuss what stem cells are, how experiments identify them, and why these two issues cannot be completely separated. The basic concepts, methods and structure of the field are set out, as well as key limitations and challenges. The second part of the book shows how rigorous explanations emerge from stem cell experiments, and compares these to other kinds of scientific explanation. Model organisms, the role of genes, and the significance of collaboration are also discussed. The last part of the book considers relations to systems biology and clinical medicine, arguing that both the mathematical models of the former, and ethical principles of the latter, are necessary for stem cell biology to deliver on its promises -- source other than Library of Congress Examining stem cell biology from a philosophy of science perspective, this book clarifies the field's central concept, the stem cell, as well as its aims, methods, models, explanations and evidential challenges. The first chapters discuss what stem cells are, how experiments identify them, and why these two issues cannot be completely separated. The basic concepts, methods and structure of the field are set out, as well as key limitations and challenges. The second part of the book shows how rigorous explanations emerge from stem cell experiments, and compares these to other kinds of scientific explanation. Model organisms, the role of genes, and the significance of collaboration are also discussed. The last part of the book considers relations to systems biology and clinical medicine, arguing that both the mathematical models of the former, and ethical principles of the latter, are necessary for stem cell biology to deliver on its promises. -- Book cover Cover -- Title -- Copyright -- Contents -- Series Editor's Foreword -- Preface and Acknowledgments -- 1 Introduction -- 2 Natural Kinds -- 3 Essentialism -- 4 Individualism -- 5 Metaphysics of Species for the Commitment-wary -- 6 The Natural Kindness Approach -- 7 Pluralism and Realism Revisited -- Explanation and Discussion Notes -- References -- Index Front Matter....Pages i-xi Introduction....Pages 1-20 Natural Kinds....Pages 21-38 Essentialism....Pages 39-66 Individualism....Pages 67-104 Metaphysics of Species for the Commitment-wary....Pages 105-131 The Natural Kindness Approach....Pages 132-154 Pluralism and Realism Revisited....Pages 155-179 Back Matter....Pages 181-214