Andrew S. Reynolds

Understanding Metaphors in the Life Sciences (eBook, ePUB)

• Format: ePub

Produktbeschreibung

Covering a range of metaphors from a diverse field of sciences, from cell and molecular biology to evolution, ecology, and biomedicine, Understanding Metaphors in the Life Sciences explores the positive and negative implications of the widespread use of metaphors in the biological and life sciences. From genetic codes, programs, and blueprints, to cell factories, survival of the fittest, the tree of life, selfish genes, and ecological niches, to genome editing with CRISPR's molecular scissors, metaphors are ubiquitous and vital components of the modern life sciences. But how exactly do metaphors help scientists to understand the objects they study? How can they mislead both scientists and laypeople alike? And what should we all understand about the implications of science's reliance on metaphorical speech and thought for objective knowledge and adequate public policy informed by science? This book will literally help you to better understand the metaphorical dimensions of science.

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Produktdetails

• Verlag: Cambridge University Press
• Erscheinungstermin: 31. Dezember 2021
• Englisch
• ISBN-13: 9781108945011
• Artikelnr.: 66184016

Autorenporträt

Andrew S. Reynolds is Professor of Philosophy at Cape Breton University, Canada. He is the author of The Third Lens: Metaphor and the Creation of Modern Cell Biology (University of Chicago Press, 2018) and Peirce's Scientific Metaphysics: The Philosophy of Chance, Law and Evolution (Vanderbilt University Press, 2002). He has a PhD in the philosophy of science from the University of Western Ontario.

Inhaltsangabe

1. Metaphors and science; 2. Background metaphors: agents
machines
and information; 3. Genes and genomes: agents
codes
programs
blueprints
and books; 4. Proteins: machines
messengers
and team players; 5. Cells: factories
computers
and social organisms; 6. Evolution: natural selection
the tree of life
and selfish genes; 7. Ecology: the balance of nature
niches
ecosystem health
and gaia; 8. Biomedicine: genetic engineering
genome editing
and cell reprogramming.