Biology as Society, Society as Biology: Metaphors (Sociology of the Sciences Yearbook, 18)

not lie in the conceptual distinctions but in the perceived functions of metaphors and whether in the concrete case they are judged positive or negative. The ongoing debates reflect these concerns quite clearly~ namely that metaphors are judged on the basis of supposed dangers they pose and opportunities they offer. These are the criteria of evaluation that are obviously dependent on the context in which the transfer of meaning occurs. Our fundamental concern is indeed the transfer itself~ its prospects and its limits. Looking at possible functions of metaphors is one approach to under­ standing and elucidating sentiments about them. The papers in this volume illustrate, by quite different examples, three basic functions of metaphors: illustrative, heuristic~ and constitutive. These functions rep­ resent different degrees of transfer of meaning. Metaphors are illustrative when they are used primarily as a literary device, to increase the power of conviction of an argument, for example. Although the difference between the illustrative and the heuristic function of metaphors is not great, it does exist: metaphors are used for heuristic purposes whenever "differences" of meaning are employed to open new perspectives and to gain new insights. In the case of "constitutive" metaphors they function to actually replace previous meanings by new ones. Sabine Maasen in her paper introduces the distinction between transfer and transforma­ tion. Front Matter....Pages i-vi Metaphors: Is there a Bridge over Troubled Waters?....Pages 1-8 Front Matter....Pages 9-9 Who is Afraid of Metaphors?....Pages 11-35 How Nature Became the Other: Anthropomorphism and Anthropocentrism in Early Modern Natural Philosophy....Pages 37-56 The Manifest and the Scientific....Pages 57-79 The Nexus of Animal and Rational: Sociobiology, Language, and the Enlightenment Study of Apes....Pages 81-103 Front Matter....Pages 105-105 Social Metaphors in Evolutionary Biology, 1870–1930: The Wider Dimension of Social Darwinism....Pages 107-126 “Struggle for Existences”: Selection and Retention of a Metaphor....Pages 127-151 Front Matter....Pages 153-153 The Importance of the Concepts of “Organism” and “Evolution” in Emile Durkheim’s Division of Social Labor and the Influence of Herbert Spencer....Pages 155-191 Herbert Spencer: Biology, Sociology, and Cosmic Evolution....Pages 193-229 The Superorganism Metaphor: Then and Now....Pages 231-247 Defining the Organism in the Welfare State: The Politics of Individuality in American Culture, 1890–1950....Pages 249-278 Front Matter....Pages 279-279 A Plague Upon Your House: Commercial Crisis and Epidemic Disease in Victorian England....Pages 281-310 Evolutionary Metaphors in Explanations of American Industrial Competition....Pages 311-337 Biological and Physical Metaphors in Economics....Pages 339-356 Back Matter....Pages 357-358

the Disciplines Of Biology And The Social Sciences Share Common Roots In History And Yet Have Drifted So Far Apart That The Demarcation Line Between Them Has Become A Contested Boundary.
The Boundary Shift Between The `natural' And The `social' Is Becoming Permanent: Moves In Either Direction Are Subject To Ideological Rhetoric. Yet There Is Continual Exchange Across The Line: Metaphors Are Moving Freely Between Biology And The Social Sciences. As Messengers Of Meaning They Become Agents Of Change, Forever Undermining Any Attempt At Fixing Similarities And Differences.
Biology As Society, Society As Biology: Metaphors Offers A Unique Look At The Function Of Metaphors In Mediating Between Two Disciplinary Cultures Which Represent And Mold Our Views About Nature And Society, And The Boundary Between Them.
For Professionals And Students Of History, Philosophy And Sociology Of Science, Biology, And Literary Science Alike.

The disciplines of biology and the social sciences share common roots in history and yet have drifted apart so much that the demarcation line between them has become a contested boundary. The boundary between the 'natural' and the 'social' is shifting permanently. Moves in either direction are subject to ideological rhetoric. Yet there is continual exchange across the lines: Metaphors are moving freely between biology and the social sciences. As messengers of meaning they become agents of change, for ever undermining any attempt of fixing similarities and differences. This collection of papers offers a unique look at the function of metaphors in mediating between two disciplinary cultures which represent and mold our views about nature and society, and the boundary between them. This book is of interest to professionals and students from history, philosophy and sociology of science, biology, and literary science alike