On Biological Analogs of Newtonian Paradigms

Dados Bibliográficos

ID10706552
AutoresThomas S Hall (autor correspondente)
Ano1968
Volume35
Fascículo1
Páginas6-27
Data de publicação1968-03-01
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessSim
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoPhilosophy of Science (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 0031-8248 • E-ISSN: 1539-767X
EditoraCambridge University Press (CUP) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1086/288184
OpenAlexW1990288585
IdiomaEN
Citações recebidas9
Referências citadas9

To what extent is the scientist's endeavor qua scientist influenced by his philosophic image of himself? A preliminary and partial answer to this question is suggested by a study of eight physiological thinkers of the second half of the eighteenth century, a period during which biology was much influenced by the scientific and philosophical ideas of Isaac Newton. At this time, physiologists invoked certain “principles,” “properties,” and “powers” which were deemed useful as explanatory devices, even though they could not themselves be explained. The use of these devices in physiology was often defended in terms of their supposed similarity to devices used in mathematics and Newtonian physics. The results of this practice are considered critically, partly in the light of current studies of scientific explanation

Aesthetics · Epistemology · Image (mathematics) · Period (music) · Physics · Similarity (geometry) · Theoretical physics · Artificial Intelligence · Complementary and Alternative Medicine Studies · Computer Science · Neurology and Historical Studies · Philosophy · Philosophy and History of Science