Autopoiesis, biological autonomy and the process view of life
Autopoiesis, biological autonomy and the process view of life
In recent years, an increasing number of theoretical biologists and philosophers of biology have been opposing reductionist research agendas by appealing to the concept of biological autonomy which draws on the older concept of autopoiesis. In my paper, I investigate some of the ontological implications of this approach. The emphasis on autonomy and autopoiesis, together with the associated idea of organisational closure, might evoke the impression that organisms are to be categorised ontologically as substances: ontologically independent, well-individuated, discrete particulars. However, I argue that this is mistaken. Autopoiesis and biological autonomy, properly understood, require a rigorous commitment to a process ontological view of life.
Autopoiesis, Biological autonomy, Metabolism, Organisational closure, Organism, Process ontology, Substance ontology
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Meincke, Anne Sophie
f1270441-464f-4860-b52e-8dc9ef661ab9
October 2018
Meincke, Anne Sophie
f1270441-464f-4860-b52e-8dc9ef661ab9
Meincke, Anne Sophie
(2018)
Autopoiesis, biological autonomy and the process view of life.
European Journal for Philosophy of Science, 9 (5), .
(doi:10.1007/s13194-018-0228-2).
Abstract
In recent years, an increasing number of theoretical biologists and philosophers of biology have been opposing reductionist research agendas by appealing to the concept of biological autonomy which draws on the older concept of autopoiesis. In my paper, I investigate some of the ontological implications of this approach. The emphasis on autonomy and autopoiesis, together with the associated idea of organisational closure, might evoke the impression that organisms are to be categorised ontologically as substances: ontologically independent, well-individuated, discrete particulars. However, I argue that this is mistaken. Autopoiesis and biological autonomy, properly understood, require a rigorous commitment to a process ontological view of life.
Text
Meincke_Autopoiesis, BioAutonomy & the Process View (EJPS 2018)
- Accepted Manuscript
More information
Accepted/In Press date: 5 September 2018
e-pub ahead of print date: 26 October 2018
Published date: October 2018
Keywords:
Autopoiesis, Biological autonomy, Metabolism, Organisational closure, Organism, Process ontology, Substance ontology
Identifiers
Local EPrints ID: 426378
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/426378
ISSN: 1879-4912
PURE UUID: d1db842f-02c8-4b5a-876b-904c4e532969
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Date deposited: 26 Nov 2018 17:30
Last modified: 16 Mar 2024 07:16
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Author:
Anne Sophie Meincke
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