MSc Program in the History and Philosophy of Biology
Winter Semester, 2h, 4ECTS
Instructor: Juan Manuel Torres
Aims:
To develop and explain some biological phenomena or discussions that have involved methodological and epistemological issues.
Program:
Genetic services and the evolution of the notions of health, unhealth and disease.
The creative power of Q -replicase enzyme vis a vis the Central Dogma of molecular biology.
History of some competing research programmes on the origin of life: polyaminoacids versus polynucleotides.
Cairn's experiments and the neoLamarckism again. The logical structure of neoDarwinian evolutionary theory.
The controversy on the unity of selection: species or individuals?
The Modern Synthesis and its anomalies.
The nomological-deductive model of Hempel and Oppenheim and its role in the reductionist view on the nature of life.
Teaching: Lectures and discussions.
Assessment: Final examination
Bibliography:
Torres, J. M.: "The importance of genetic services for the theory of health: basis for an integrating theory", THE JOURNAL OF MEDICINE, HEALTH CARE AND PHILOSOPHY. 5: pp. 43-51, 2002.
Torres, J. M.: "On the falsification of the Central Dogma and the de novo synthesis of molecular species. A methodological analysis" in PHILOSOPHIA NATURALIS, 36: 1-18, 1999.
Torres, J. M.: "Competing research programmes on the origin of life", JOURNAL for GENERAL PHILOSOPHY of SCIENCE, 27: 325-346, 1996.
MacPhee, D.: "Directed evolution reconsidered", AMERICAN SCIENTIST, 81: 554-561, 1993.
Thompson, P.. THE STRUCTURE OF BIOLOGICAL THEORIES, State University of New York Press, 1989.
Hull, D.: "Individuality and selection", ANNUAL REVIEW THE ECOLOGY AND SYSTEMATICS, 11: 311-332, 1980.
Lovtrup, S.: DARWINISM: THE REFUTATION OF MYTH, Crom-Holm, 1987.
Kuippers, B-O: INFORMATION AND THE ORIGIN OF LIFE, MIT Press, 1990.
|