Overview

Analyzes the reasons why biologists have referred to and continue to refer to plasticity. Since the early twentieth century, plasticity has become an important topic in biology. Some even wondered whether plasticity has acquired in biology the theoretical importance that the concept of the gene enjoyed at the beginning of the last century. In this historical and epistemological analysis, Antonine Nicoglou shows how the recurrence of the general idea of plasticity throughout the history of the life sciences indicates its essential role in the way we think about life processes. She also argues that although plasticity has become a key element in new evolutionary thinking, its role in contemporary biology is not so limited. Rather, as mobilized in contemporary biology, plasticity most often seeks to account for the specific nature of living systems. The book is divided into two parts, with the first taking up the history of plasticity from Aristotle to contemporary biology. Then, the second part of the book offers an original way of distinguishing between different phenomena described by ""plasticity."" In the process, the author explores what has led some biologists to speak of plasticity as a way of overcoming genetic determinism.

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9780226837161

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Reviews

“Philosophers of biology have been increasingly interested in the concept of plasticity in recent years, but there has yet to appear a detailed philosophical treatment of the topic. Nicoglou’s excellent book therefore fills a major need. Nicoglou traces the history of the concept and its use in different biological disciplines from Aristotle to the present, bringing out a wide range of significant continuities and differences, and illuminating the varying relation of plasticity to crucial concepts such as variation, diversity, novelty, adaptation, regulation, and more. As well as being an essential read for anyone interested in the lively contemporary discussions of plasticity, this is a fine example of the integrated historical and philosophical approach to understanding biology.” -- John Dupré, author of The Metaphysics of Biology

“Philosophers of biology have been increasingly interested in the concept of plasticity in recent years, but a detailed philosophical treatment of the topic has yet to appear. Nicoglou’s excellent book therefore fills a major need. Nicoglou traces the history of the concept of plasticity and its use in different biological disciplines from Aristotle to the present, bringing out a wide range of significant continuities and differences and illuminating the varying relation of plasticity to crucial concepts such as variation, diversity, novelty, adaptation, regulation, and more. As well as being an essential read for anyone interested in the lively contemporary discussions of plasticity, this is a fine example of the integrated historical and philosophical approach to understanding biology.” -- John Dupré, author of “Processes of Life: Essays in the Philosophy of Biology”

Author Information

Antonine Nicoglou is associate professor of philosophy of science at the University of Tours.

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