Method of explanation in biological systems as applied on medical sciences
For epistemological purposes, philosophers of science differentiate between three modes of biology: (i) functional; (ii) evolutionary; and (iii) systems biology. This classification is based on the nature of the biological process. The present paper aims to highlight these categories and investiga...
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| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English English |
| Published: |
Fakulti Perubatan dan Sains Kesihatan, UPM
2021
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://irep.iium.edu.my/93732/7/MJMHS%20VOL.17%20SUPP%205%20-%20AUGUST%202021%20_%20FAKULTI%20PERUBATAN%20DAN%20SAINS%20KESIHATAN.pdf http://irep.iium.edu.my/93732/13/93732_Method%20of%20explanation%20in%20biological%20systems%20as%20applied%20on%20medical%20sciences.pdf http://irep.iium.edu.my/93732/ https://medic.upm.edu.my/upload/dokumen/20210803132123Complete_abstract.pdf |
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| Summary: | For epistemological purposes, philosophers of science differentiate between three modes of biology: (i) functional;
(ii) evolutionary; and (iii) systems biology. This classification is based on the nature of the biological process. The
present paper aims to highlight these categories and investigate how they may contribute to developing the objective
method of understanding the biological systems for a better life on earth. The study of biological systems is necessary,
not only for its medicinal applications on environmental and human health but also for better management of social
changes. Understanding the governing principles of biological processes is a primary requirement for prediction
and control, which are the final objective of scientific explanation. Medical sciences are based on understanding
the biological processes at both the programmed systems as well as the purposive acts of a human being. Indeed,
modern biotechnology plays a crucial role in the elucidation of the molecular causes of disease, the development of
new diagnostic methods, and the development of effective drugs. The basic challenge that has been facing efforts on
harnessing the biological phenomenon is embedded not only in the complexity of the biological phenomenon, but
also lacking the relevant method of explanation. Accordingly, prediction and control have been the major problems
of this field. This paper aims to explore the question of explanation and prediction in biological processes, based on
the above classifications of biology, with focus on medical sciences. Contribution of systems biology and its applications
/ implications on health sciences will be highlighted. The paper adopts the method of theoretical analysis. The
relevant texts on systems biology will be reviewed. The paper presupposes that the new developments on systems
biology can contribute in developing a relevant method of explanation that enables to predict and control processes
of the complex system of the natural phenomena, which named by Ernst Mayr as “irregular subjects”. |
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