ISBN:
9789401798372
Language:
English
Pages:
Online-Ressource (XXXIV, 221 p. 19 illus, online resource)
Series Statement:
History, Philosophy and Theory of the Life Sciences 12
Series Statement:
SpringerLink
Series Statement:
Bücher
Series Statement:
Springer eBook Collection
Series Statement:
Humanities, Social Sciences and Law
Parallel Title:
Erscheint auch als Moreno, Alvaro Biological autonomy
Keywords:
Philosophy (General)
;
Biology Philosophy
;
Biological models
;
Consciousness
;
Philosophy
;
Biologie
;
Philosophie
;
Systembiologie
;
Biologisches Modell
Abstract:
Since Darwin, Biology has been framed on the idea of evolution by natural selection, which has profoundly influenced the scientific and philosophical comprehension of biological phenomena and of our place in Nature. This book argues that contemporary biology should progress towards and revolve around an even more fundamental idea, that of autonomy. Biological autonomy describes living organisms as organised systems, which are able to self-produce and self-maintain as integrated entities, to establish their own goals and norms, and to promote the conditions of their existence through their interactions with the environment. Topics covered in this book include organisation and biological emergence, organisms, agency, levels of autonomy, cognition, and a look at the historical dimension of autonomy. The current development of scientific investigations on autonomous organisation calls for a theoretical and philosophical analysis. This can contribute to the elaboration of an original understanding of life - including human life - on Earth, opening new perspectives and enabling fecund interactions with other existing theories and approaches. This book takes up the challenge
DOI:
10.1007/978-94-017-9837-2
