Promises and Limits of Reductionism in the Biomedical Sciences

Reductionism as a scientific methodology has been extraordinarily successful in biology. However, recent developments in molecular biology have shown that reductionism is seriously inadequate in dealing with the mind-boggling complexity of integrated biological systems. Biomolecules are not only very complicated molecular machines but are the results of the whole evolutionary history of life. Earlier enthusiasm for the reduction of biology to chemistry and physics has given place to the appreciation of biology as an essentially historical discipline that requires functional and not only structural explanations. To explain and treat human disease, it is nearly always necessary to move beyond genetic reductionism and take into account holistic and integrative aspects that require the context of the patient in his or her biological and psychological entirety. Promises and Limits of Reductionism in the Biomedical Sciences highlights: The traditional philosophical treatments of reductionism The benefits and shortcomings of reductionism in particular areas of science The issue of reductionism in the practice of medicine The deficiencies of evolutionary psychology and the inadequacy of reductive explanations of human behaviour in terms of single factors The picture that emerges in this anthology is that what might at first seem like hopeless disagreement turns out to be rather differences in emphasis. Although genes play an important role in biology, the focus on genetics and genomics has often been misleading. The consensus view leads to pluralism: both reductionist methods and a more integrative approach to biological complexity are required, depending on the questions that are asked. This book has an excellent balance between contributions from scientists and philosophers of science. It will appeal to philosophers and scientists alike and represents a unique interchange between individuals from both communities interested in reductionism.