Promises and Limits of Reductionism in the Biomedical Sciences (Catalysts for Fine Chemical Synthesis)

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 PROMISES AND LIMITS OF REDUCTIONISM IN THE BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES......Page 3 Contents......Page 7 Preface......Page 11 Contributors......Page 13 About the Editors......Page 15 1 Introduction......Page 17 2 Emergent Properties of Biological Molecules and Cells......Page 31 3 From Nineteenth Century Ideas on Reduction in Physiology to Non-Reductive Explanations in Twentieth-Century Biochemistry......Page 51 4 Pitfalls of Reductionism in Immunology......Page 63 5 Reductionism in Medicine: Social Aspects of Health......Page 83 Questions and Discussion......Page 96 6 ‘Who’s Afraid of Reductionism?’ ‘I Am!’......Page 99 Questions and Discussion......Page 122 Round Table Discussion 1: Chair – Alex Rosenberg......Page 129 7 Reductionism in an Historical Science......Page 141 Questions and Discussion......Page 171 8 Varieties of Reductionism: Derivation and Gene Selection......Page 177 Questions and Discussion......Page 189 9 The Gene: Between Holism and Generalism......Page 195 Questions and Discussion......Page 203 10 Genes versus Molecules: How To, and How Not To, Be a Reductionist......Page 207 Questions and Discussion......Page 222 11 Limits of Reproduction: A Reductionistic Research Strategy in Evolutionary Biology......Page 227 Questions and Discussion......Page 243 12 Evolutionary Psychology: A Case Study in the Poverty of Genetic Determinism......Page 249 Questions and Discussion......Page 260 Round Table Discussion 2: Chair – Marc H. V. Van Regenmortel......Page 269 13 The Ethical Imperative of Holism in Medicine......Page 277 Questions and Discussion......Page 289 14 Levels of Explanation in Human Behaviour: The Poverty of Evolutionary Psychology......Page 295 Questions and Discussion......Page 315 15 Reductionism and Social Policy......Page 321 Questions and Discussion......Page 333 16 Reductionism, Complexity and Molecular Medicine: Genetic Chips and the ‘Globalization’ of the Genome......Page 339 Questions and Discussion......Page 363 Round Table Discussion 3: Chair – Kenneth F. Schaffner......Page 369 Bibliography......Page 381 Index......Page 385 Catalysts Are Increasingly Used By Chemists Engaged In Fine Chemical Synthesis Within Both Industry And Academia. Today, There Exists A Huge Choice Of High-tech Catalysts, Which Add Enormously To The Repertoire Of Synthetic Possibilities. However, Catalysts Are Occasionally Capricious, Sometimes Difficult To Use And Almost Always Require Both Skill And Experience In Order To Achieve Optimal Results. This Series Aims To Be A Practical Help For Advanced Undergraduate, Graduate And Postgraduate Students, As Well As Experienced Chemists In Industry And Academia Working In Organic And Organometalli. Preface -- List Of Contributors -- Emergent Properties Of Biological Molecules And Cells R. P. J. Williams -- From Nineteenth Century Ideas On Reduction In Physiology To Non-reductive Explanations In Twentieth Century Biochemistry C. Debru -- Pitfalls Of Reductionism In Immunology M. H. V. Van Regenmortel -- Reductionism In Medicine: Social Aspects Of Health E. Lloyd -- 'who's Afraid Of Reductionism?' 'i Am!' S. Shostak -- Round Table Discussion 1 Chair: A. Rosenberg -- Reductionism In A Historical Science A. Rosenberg -- Varieties Of Reductionism: Derivation And Gene Selection D. L. Hull -- Gene: Between Holism And Reductionism M. Morange -- Genes Versus Molecules: How To, And How Not To, Be A Reductionist S. Sarak -- Limits On Reproduction: A Reductionist Research Strategy In Evolutionary Biology J. Griesemer -- Evolutionary Psychology: A Case Study In The Poverty Of Genetic Determinism J. Dupre -- Round Table Discussion 2 Chair: Marc Van Regenmortel -- Ethical Imperative Of Holism In Medicine A. Tauber -- Levels Of Explanation In Human Behaviour: The Poverty Of Evolutionary Psychology S. P. R. Rose -- Reductionism And Social Policy D. Nelkin -- Reductionism, Complexity And Molecular Medicine: Genetic Chips And The 'globalization' Of The Genome K. Schaffner -- Round Table Discussion Chair: K. Schaffner -- Index. Edited By Stan M. Roberts And Geraldine Poignant. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. 0471498505 PROMISES AND LIMITS OF REDUCTIONISM IN THE BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES 3 Contents 7 Preface 11 Contributors 13 About the Editors 15 1 Introduction 17 2 Emergent Properties of Biological Molecules and Cells 31 3 From Nineteenth Century Ideas on Reduction in Physiology to Non-Reductive Explanations in Twentieth-Century Biochemistry 51 4 Pitfalls of Reductionism in Immunology 63 5 Reductionism in Medicine: Social Aspects of Health 83 Questions and Discussion 96 6 ‘Who’s Afraid of Reductionism?’ ‘I Am!’ 99 Questions and Discussion 122 Round Table Discussion 1: Chair – Alex Rosenberg 129 7 Reductionism in an Historical Science 141 Questions and Discussion 171 8 Varieties of Reductionism: Derivation and Gene Selection 177 Questions and Discussion 189 9 The Gene: Between Holism and Generalism 195 Questions and Discussion 203 10 Genes versus Molecules: How To, and How Not To, Be a Reductionist 207 Questions and Discussion 222 11 Limits of Reproduction: A Reductionistic Research Strategy in Evolutionary Biology 227 Questions and Discussion 243 12 Evolutionary Psychology: A Case Study in the Poverty of Genetic Determinism 249 Questions and Discussion 260 Round Table Discussion 2: Chair – Marc H. V. Van Regenmortel 269 13 The Ethical Imperative of Holism in Medicine 277 Questions and Discussion 289 14 Levels of Explanation in Human Behaviour: The Poverty of Evolutionary Psychology 295 Questions and Discussion 315 15 Reductionism and Social Policy 321 Questions and Discussion 333 16 Reductionism, Complexity and Molecular Medicine: Genetic Chips and the ‘Globalization’ of the Genome 339 Questions and Discussion 363 Round Table Discussion 3: Chair – Kenneth F. Schaffner 369 Bibliography 381 Index 385