Animal Models and the Unity of Neuroscience
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University of Cincinnati / OhioLINK
2014
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ndltd-OhioLink-oai-etd.ohiolink.edu-ucin14068200282021-08-03T06:26:29Z Animal Models and the Unity of Neuroscience Atanasova, Nina A. Philosophy of Science Animal Models Experimental Neurobiology Unity of Neuroscience Calibration Validation Experiment Contemporary neurobiology abounds with multiple experimental protocols and procedures aiming to study identical phenomena. This state of affairs seems to put in jeopardy the integration of experimental results and the extrapolation of laboratory knowledge to natural world phenomena. The problem is further complicated when knowledge produced through animal experimentation is extended to humans. My thesis is that the multiplicity of protocols fosters rather than precludes progress in neurobiology. It is especially valued when the results of different experiments converge. In these cases, the validity of knowledge claims increases. Converging experimental results get integrated. To date, no comprehensive philosophical analysis of animal experimentation in neurobiology exists. For this reason I analyze the functions of animal models in experimental neurobiology. I argue that even though animal models are related to model and experimental organisms, in the case of neurobiology, they are better conceptualized as experimental systems rather than as a subclass of the other two classes of biological models. In a case study, I trace the developments of and the variations on the basic design of Morris water maze experiments to exemplify the motivation for producing variations on basic experimental protocols. Ultimately, I defend a view of the structure of experimental neurobiology which I call optimistic pluralism. It is an extension of the so called perspectival pluralism according to which the integration of multiple partial perspectives employed in the study of any given phenomenon maximizes the knowledge about this phenomenon. It is optimistic because it justifies the possibility for multiple partial perspectives to converge and be integrated in order to provide knowledge about complex phenomena. This view justifies the desirability of multiple experimental protocols in contemporary neurobiology because it values the multiplicity of perspectives they provide. 2014-09-08 English text University of Cincinnati / OhioLINK http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1406820028 http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1406820028 unrestricted This thesis or dissertation is protected by copyright: all rights reserved. It may not be copied or redistributed beyond the terms of applicable copyright laws. |
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NDLTD |
| language |
English |
| sources |
NDLTD |
| topic |
Philosophy of Science Animal Models Experimental Neurobiology Unity of Neuroscience Calibration Validation Experiment |
| spellingShingle |
Philosophy of Science Animal Models Experimental Neurobiology Unity of Neuroscience Calibration Validation Experiment Atanasova, Nina A. Animal Models and the Unity of Neuroscience |
| author |
Atanasova, Nina A. |
| author_facet |
Atanasova, Nina A. |
| author_sort |
Atanasova, Nina A. |
| title |
Animal Models and the Unity of Neuroscience |
| title_short |
Animal Models and the Unity of Neuroscience |
| title_full |
Animal Models and the Unity of Neuroscience |
| title_fullStr |
Animal Models and the Unity of Neuroscience |
| title_full_unstemmed |
Animal Models and the Unity of Neuroscience |
| title_sort |
animal models and the unity of neuroscience |
| publisher |
University of Cincinnati / OhioLINK |
| publishDate |
2014 |
| url |
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1406820028 |
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AT atanasovaninaa animalmodelsandtheunityofneuroscience |
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