Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The relation between philosophy of science and biology exemplified by the problem of explanation

  • Published:
Acta Biotheoretica Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

This paper contains some considerations on the relation between philosophy of science and science, in particular biology. There is a contrast between formalistic and pragmatic approaches to the structure of scientific thought, which is illustrated by the different viewpoints on the nature of explanation. In an appendix some aspects of the logical structure of teleological explanation are discussed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Ackoff, R. L. (1961). General systems theory and systems research, contrasting conceptions of systems science.-In:M. D. Mesarovic (1964) (Ed.), Views on general systems theory.-New York, John Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Apostel, L. (1963). Can metaphysics be a science ?-Studia Philosophia Gandensia1, p. 7–95.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bertalanffy, L. von (1968). General systems theory.-New York, Braziller, xv + 289 p.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brodbeck, M. (1953). The nature and function of the philosophy of science.-In:H. Feigl &M. Brodbeck, eds., 1953, Readings in the philosophy of science.-New York, Appleton Century Crofts.

    Google Scholar 

  • Collins, A. W. (1966). Explanation and causality.-Mind75, p. 482–500.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dullemeyer, P. (1972). Explanation in morphology.-Acta Biotheor., Leiden,21, p. 260–273.

    Google Scholar 

  • Groot, A. D. de (1970). Methodology. Foundations of inference and research in the behavioural sciences.-The Hague & Paris, Mouton & Co.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hempel, C. G. (1965). Aspects of scientific explanation, and other essays in the philosophy of science.-New York, Macmillan, ix + 505 p.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hempel, C. G. (1970). Fundamentals of concept formation in empirical science.-In:O. Neurath, R. Carnap &C. Morris, eds., Foundations of the unity of science, vol. II, nos. 1–9,-Chicago & London, Univ. of Chicago Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hull, D. L. &D. P. Snyder (1969). Contemporary logic and evolutionary taxonomy: a reply to Gregg.-System. Zool.18, p. 347–357.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jeuken, M. (1967). Ruimte en begrenzing in de biologie.-Geloof en Wetenschap,65 p. 109–118.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jeuken, M. (1968). A note on models and explanation in biology.-Acta Biotheor., Leiden,18, p. 284–290.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kaplan, A. (1964). The conduct of inquiry.-San Francisco, Chandler, xix + 428 p.

    Google Scholar 

  • Klaauw, C. J. van der (1958). Biology and philosophy.-In:R. Klibanski, ed., Philosophy in the mid-century-p. 315–328, Firenza, La nuova Italia Editrice.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kraft, V. (1960). Erkenntnislehre.-Wien, Springer, viii + 379 p.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lagerspetz, K. (1959). Teleological explanations and terms in biology.-Ann. Zool. Soc. ‘Vanamo’,19(6), ii + 73 p. (Diss.).

  • Lagerspetz, K. Y. H. (1969). Individuality and creativity: is biology different.-Synthese20 (2), p. 254–260.

    Google Scholar 

  • Meyer-Abich, A. (1926). Logik der Morphologie, im Rahmen einer Logik der gesamten Biologie.-Berlin, Springer, vi + 290 p.

    Google Scholar 

  • O'Neil, W. M. (1969). Fact and theory.-Sydney University Press, xiv + 193 p.

  • Nooney, G. C. (1965). Mathematical models, reality and results.-J. Theor. Biol.9, p. 239–252.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rapoport, A. (1965). Operational Philosophy.-New York, J. Wiley, xi + 258 p.

    Google Scholar 

  • Reichenbach, H. (1961). Experience and prediction.-University of Chicago Press, Phoenix Books, x + 408 p.

  • Rosenblueth, A. (1970). Mind and brain: a philosophy of science.-MIT Press, Cambridge, Massachusetts, and London, xii + 128 p.

    Google Scholar 

  • Scheffler, I. (1967). Science and subjectivity.-New York, Bobbs-Merrill Company, v + 132 p.

    Google Scholar 

  • Scriven, M. (1969). Explanation in the biological sciences.-J. Hist. Biol.2 (1), p. 187–198.

    Google Scholar 

  • Smart, J. J. C. (1968). Between science and philosophy.-New York, Random House, xiv + 363 p.

    Google Scholar 

  • Steen, W. J. v. d. &J. C. Jager (1971). Biology, causality and abstraction, with illustrations from a behavioural study of chemoreception.-J. Theor. Biol.33, p. 265–278.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stegmüller, W. (1969). Wissenschaftliche Erklärung und Begründung. Probleme und Resultate der Wissenschaftstheorie und analytische Philosophie, Bd. I.-Berlin, Heidelberg, New York, Springer, xiv + 812 p.

    Google Scholar 

  • Szarski, H. (1960). The explanation of facts in biological sciences.-Scientia (Bologna)45, p. 17–21.

    Google Scholar 

  • Woodger, J. H. (1967). Biological principles (First ed. 1929).-London, Routledge & Kegan Paul; New York, Humanities Press; xix + 496 p.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Instituut voor Theoretische Biologie der Rijksuniversiteit, Leiden

    W. Van Laar & H. Verhoog

Authors
  1. W. Van Laar
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. H. Verhoog
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Van Laar, W., Verhoog, H. The relation between philosophy of science and biology exemplified by the problem of explanation. Acta Biotheor 21, 274–301 (1972). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01557182

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01557182

Keywords

Search

Navigation