An Affinity to Theories in Biology

Abstract

“Kant outlined many interesting issues involving concepts, such as system, self-organization, teleology, etc. and today these are also relevant for systems biology. Kant mentioned for instance the reciprocal influences among the parts within an organism: the parts of a “thing as a natural product” (organism) “should so combine in the unity of a whole that they are reciprocally cause and effect of each other’s form” (Kant I. Critique of judgment. Digireads.com., Breinigsville, 2010, German 1790: §65). Here it becomes apparent that philosophy has already addressed questions that are also relevant for science. Looking back at such philosophical considerations is therefore crucial for science in order to get a clear view on basic questions. Of course, this is not relevant for many sophisticated, detailed models in systems biology. Nonetheless, keeping the big picture in mind is definitely an advantage.”.