1.

Record Nr.

UNINA9910483699203321

Autore

Moreno Alvaro

Titolo

Biological Autonomy [[electronic resource] ] : A Philosophical and Theoretical Enquiry / / by Alvaro Moreno, Matteo Mossio

Pubbl/distr/stampa

Dordrecht : , : Springer Netherlands : , : Imprint : Springer, , 2015

ISBN

94-017-9837-0

Edizione

[1st ed. 2015.]

Descrizione fisica

1 online resource (249 p.)

Collana

History, Philosophy and Theory of the Life Sciences, , 2211-1948 ; ; 12

Disciplina

574.01

Soggetti

Biology—Philosophy

Systems biology

Cognitive psychology

Philosophy of Biology

Systems Biology

Cognitive Psychology

Lingua di pubblicazione

Inglese

Formato

Materiale a stampa

Livello bibliografico

Monografia

Note generali

Description based upon print version of record.

Nota di bibliografia

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Nota di contenuto

Introduction: Life as autonomy -- I. Constraints and organisational closure -- II. Biological emergence and inter-levels causation -- III. Teleology, normativity, and functionality -- IV. Agency -- V. Evolution: the historical dimension of autonomy -- VI. Organisms and levels of autonomy -- VII. Cognition -- VIII. Opening conclusions -- Index.

Sommario/riassunto

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.