| Summary: | 博士 === 國立中正大學 === 哲學系研究所 === 105 === In this dissertation, I propose a new methodology for the biological practice in the current life science, in which experiments play a central role. The methodology comprises three essential parts: discovery of new mechanisms, investigation of new phenomena, and construction of new theories.
My dissertation argues for the three major theses:
The first is features of interactivities in the internal contexts of mechanisms. In order to reinforce the explanatory adequacy of the new mechanistic philosophy, especially refers to Peter Machamer, Carl F. Craver and Lindley Darden’s dualistic characterization, I argue that using the concept of “interactivity” makes their mechanistic explanation be more complete in some cases such as gene transcription which uses special causation (e.g., omission or double prevention).
The second is the functionalistic framework of interventional experiments. The idea is originated from the problem in Craver and Darden’s taxonomy of interventional experiments. In order to solve the problem, I propose a more unified framework which be identified by functional roles of experimentation (testing and discoveries), interventional patterns (top-down, bottom-up, inter-stage), and interventional effects (positive and negative). It offers not only a simpler framework to experimental types, but also a useful tool for revealing more and deeper mechanistic secrets.
The third is the dialectic methodology. The methodology is made up of discovery of new mechanisms, investigation of new phenomena, and construction of new theories. Investigation of new phenomena connects with the concepts of data model and experimental discovery and plays a central role. The three parts work as both ends and means, consisting in a circular way.
The three themes indicate an experiment-based methodology for the biological practice from classical genetics to molecular biology. In order to carry out the methodology, I begin from exploring a basic philosophical question: “Why most biologists see their work as discovering mechanisms, rather than something else?” Then I develop the functionalistic framework of interventional experiment and illustrate the phenomena-data model approach. Finally, I provide an integrated methodology for biological practice. If this methodology works, we will have a new vision for the progress in biology and offer a contribution to biological practices based on a study in the philosophy of biology.
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