Darwinian Reductionism : Or, How to Stop Worrying and Love Molecular Biology

After the discovery of the structure of DNA in 1953, scientists working in molecular biology embraced reductionism—the theory that all complex systems can be understood in terms of their components. Reductionism, however, has been widely resisted by both nonmolecular biologists and scientists working outside the field of biology. Many of these antireductionists, nevertheless, embrace the notion of physicalism—the idea that all biological processes are physical in nature. How, Alexander Rosenberg asks, can these self-proclaimed physicalists also be antireductionists? With clarity and wit, __Darwinian Reductionism__ navigates this difficult and seemingly intractable dualism with convincing analysis and timely evidence. In the spirit of the few distinguished biologists who accept reductionism—E. O. Wilson, Francis Crick, Jacques Monod, James Watson, and Richard Dawkins—Rosenberg provides a philosophically sophisticated defense of reductionism and applies it to molecular developmental biology and the theory of natural selection, ultimately proving that the physicalist must also be a reductionist. After The Discovery Of The Structure Of Dna In 1953, Scientists Working In Molecular Biology Embraced Reductionism - The Theory That All Complex Systems Can Be Understood In Terms Of Their Components. Reductionism, However, Has Been Widely Resisted By Both Nonmolecular Biologists And Scientists Working Outside The Field Of Biology. Many Of These Antireductionists, Nevertheless, Embrace The Notion Of Physicalism - The Idea That All Biological Processes Are Physical In Nature. How, Alexander Rosenberg Asks, Can These Self-proclaimed Physicalists Also Be Antireductionists? Darwinian Reductionism Navigates This Difficult And Seemingly Intractable Dualism With Convincing Analysis And Timely Evidence. In The Spirit Of The Few Distinguished Biologists Who Accept Reductionism - E.o. Wilson, Francis Crick, Jacques Monod, James Watson, And Richard Dawkins - Rosenberg Provides A Philosophically Sophisticated Defense Of Reductionism And Applies It To Molecular Developmental Biology And The Theory Of Natural Selection, Ultimately Proving That The Physicalist Must Also Be A Reductionist.--jacket. What Was Reductionism? -- Reductionism And Developmental Molecular Biology -- Are There Really Informational Genes And Developmental Programs? -- Dobzhansky's Dictum And The Nature Of Biological Explanation -- Central Tendencies And Individual Organisms -- Making Natural Selection Safe For Reductionists -- Genomics, Human History, And Cooperation -- How Darwinian Reductionism Refutes Genetic Determinism. Alex Rosenberg. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [239]-247) And Index. After the discovery of the structure of DNA in 1953, scientists working in molecular biology embraced reductionism—the theory that all complex systems can be understood in terms of their components. Reductionism, however, has been widely resisted by both nonmolecular biologists and scientists working outside the field of biology. Many of these antireductionists, nevertheless, embrace the notion of physicalism—the idea that all biological processes are physical in nature. How, the author of this book asks, can these self-proclaimed physicalists also be antireductionists? The book navigates this difficult and seemingly intractable dualism with analysis and evidence. In the spirit of the few distinguished biologists who accept reductionism—E. O. Wilson, Francis Crick, Jacques Monod, James Watson, and Richard Dawkins—the author provides a defense of reductionism and applies it to molecular developmental biology and the theory of natural selection, ultimately proving that the physicalist must also be a reductionist In the spirit of the few biologists who accept reductionalism this text provides a philosophically sophisticated defense of reductionism and applies it to molecular developmental biology and the theory of natural selection, proving that the physicalist must also be a reductionist