Abstract
Because the basic unit of biology is the cell, biological knowledge is rooted in the epistemology of the cell, and because life is the salient characteristic of the cell, its epistemology must be centered on its livingness, not its constituent components. The organization and regulation of these components in the pursuit of life constitute the fundamental nature of the cell. Thus, regulation sits at the heart of biological knowledge of the cell and the extraordinary complexity of this regulation conditions the kind of knowledge that can be obtained, in particular, the representation and intelligibility of that knowledge. This paper is essentially split into two parts. The first part discusses the inadequacy of everyday intelligibility and intuition in science and the consequent need for scientific theories to be expressed mathematically without appeal to commonsense categories of understanding, such as causality. Having set the backdrop, the second part addresses biological knowledge. It briefly reviews modern scientific epistemology from a general perspective and then turns to the epistemology of the cell. In analogy with a multi-faceted factory, the cell utilizes a highly parallel distributed control system to maintain its organization and regulate its dynamical operation in the face of both internal and external changes. Hence, scientific knowledge is constituted by the mathematics of stochastic dynamical systems, which model the overall relational structure of the cell and how these structures evolve over time, stochasticity being a consequence of the need to ignore a large number of factors while modeling relatively few in an extremely complex environment.
Keywords: Biology, causality, computational biology, epistemology, genomics, systems biology
Current Genomics
Title: Causality, Randomness, Intelligibility, and the Epistemology of the Cell
Volume: 11 Issue: 4
Author(s): Edward R. Dougherty and Michael L. Bittner
Affiliation:
Keywords: Biology, causality, computational biology, epistemology, genomics, systems biology
Abstract: Because the basic unit of biology is the cell, biological knowledge is rooted in the epistemology of the cell, and because life is the salient characteristic of the cell, its epistemology must be centered on its livingness, not its constituent components. The organization and regulation of these components in the pursuit of life constitute the fundamental nature of the cell. Thus, regulation sits at the heart of biological knowledge of the cell and the extraordinary complexity of this regulation conditions the kind of knowledge that can be obtained, in particular, the representation and intelligibility of that knowledge. This paper is essentially split into two parts. The first part discusses the inadequacy of everyday intelligibility and intuition in science and the consequent need for scientific theories to be expressed mathematically without appeal to commonsense categories of understanding, such as causality. Having set the backdrop, the second part addresses biological knowledge. It briefly reviews modern scientific epistemology from a general perspective and then turns to the epistemology of the cell. In analogy with a multi-faceted factory, the cell utilizes a highly parallel distributed control system to maintain its organization and regulate its dynamical operation in the face of both internal and external changes. Hence, scientific knowledge is constituted by the mathematics of stochastic dynamical systems, which model the overall relational structure of the cell and how these structures evolve over time, stochasticity being a consequence of the need to ignore a large number of factors while modeling relatively few in an extremely complex environment.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
R. Dougherty Edward and L. Bittner Michael, Causality, Randomness, Intelligibility, and the Epistemology of the Cell, Current Genomics 2010; 11 (4) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/138920210791233072
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/138920210791233072 |
Print ISSN 1389-2029 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1875-5488 |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
Advanced AI Techniques in Big Genomic Data Analysis
The thematic issue on "Advanced AI Techniques in Big Genomic Data Analysis" aims to explore the cutting-edge methodologies and applications of artificial intelligence (AI) in the realm of genomic research, where vast amounts of data pose both challenges and opportunities. This issue will cover a broad spectrum of AI-driven strategies, ...read more
Advanced Computational Algorithms and Artificial Intelligence in Clinical Pharmacogenomics
In the era of personalized medicine, understanding the relationship between genetics and drug response is crucial. This issue delves into innovative methodologies, leveraging deep computational analysis and artificial intelligence, to enhance the field of Clinical Pharmacogenomics. The interdisciplinary approach harnesses the power of advanced high-throughput genotyping technologies, sophisticated computational analysis, ...read more
Applications of Single-cell Sequencing Technology in Reproductive Medicine
Single cell sequencing (SCS) technology utilizes individual cells' genetic material to sequence their genome, transcriptome, and epigenetics at the molecular level. It offers insights into cell heterogeneity and enables the study of limited biological materials. Since its recognition as a valuable technique in 2011, single cell sequencing has yielded numerous ...read more
Big Data in Cancer Research
Cancer is a significant threat to human life and health, remaining a highly aggressive killer. It is a leading cause of death worldwide and represents a crucial medical issue for humanity. However, in the past decade, the effectiveness of new synthetic anticancer agents has not matched the current clinical speculation. ...read more
Related Journals
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
- Announcements
Related Articles
-
Mining the Genome for Susceptibility to Complex Neurological Disorders
Current Molecular Medicine Anti-Diabetic Effects of Isolated Lipids from Natural Sources through Modulation of Angiogenesis
Current Molecular Pharmacology Aurora B: A New Prognostic Marker and Therapeutic Target in Cancer
Current Medicinal Chemistry Development of Novel Nano Niosomes As Drug Delivery System of <i>Spermacoce hispida</i> Extract and <i>In Vitro</i> Antituberculosis Activity
Current Nanomaterials Dystroglycan, A Multifunctional Adaptor Protein for Signal Transduction and A Potential Therapeutic Target
Current Signal Transduction Therapy A Review of <i>Aristolochia indica</i>: Ethnomedicinal Uses, Phytochemistry, Pharmacological and Toxicological Effects
Current Traditional Medicine An Implantable Drug-delivery System on a Chip
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry Serotonin – Kynurenine Hypothesis of Depression: Historical Overview and Recent Developments
Current Drug Targets Pharma-metabolomics in Neonatology: is it a Dream or a Fact?
Current Pharmaceutical Design Cross-Talk Between TGF-β and NADPH Oxidases During Liver Fibrosis and Hepatocarcinogenesis
Current Pharmaceutical Design Lipid-based siRNA Delivery Systems: Challenges, Promises and Solutions Along the Long Journey
Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology Mining for Protein Kinase Substrates: Integration of Biochemistry, Genetics and Proteomics
Current Proteomics PET Imaging of Beta-Adrenoceptors in Human Brain: A Realistic Goal or a Mirage?
Current Pharmaceutical Design Joint Occurrence of Pain and Sleep Disturbances in People with Dementia. A Systematic Review
Current Alzheimer Research Targeting Cancer Cells with Photoactive Silica Nanoparticles
Current Pharmaceutical Design Recurrent Scalp Lesions from Glioblastoma: Case Report and Literature Review
Current Cancer Therapy Reviews Cerenkov Luminescence Imaging at a Glance
Current Molecular Imaging (Discontinued) Transplantation of Adipose Derived Stem Cells for Peripheral Nerve Regeneration in Sciatic Nerve Defects of the Rat
Current Stem Cell Research & Therapy The VHL Tumor Suppressor: Master Regulator of HIF
Current Pharmaceutical Design Erythropoietin and Wnt1 Govern Pathways of mTOR, Apaf-1, and XIAP in Inflammatory Microglia
Current Neurovascular Research