The Role of Theory in Advancing 21st-Century Biology

The Role of Theory in Advancing 21st-Century Biology
Author: National Research Council
Publisher: National Academies Press
Total Pages: 208
Release: 2008-01-22
Genre: Science
ISBN: 030913417X

Although its importance is not always recognized, theory is an integral part of all biological research. Biologists' theoretical and conceptual frameworks inform every step of their research, affecting what experiments they do, what techniques and technologies they develop and use, and how they interpret their data. By examining how theory can help biologists answer questions like "What are the engineering principles of life?" or "How do cells really work?" the report shows how theory synthesizes biological knowledge from the molecular level to the level of whole ecosystems. The book concludes that theory is already an inextricable thread running throughout the practice of biology; but that explicitly giving theory equal status with other components of biological research could help catalyze transformative research that will lead to creative, dynamic, and innovative advances in our understanding of life.

My Life with a Theory

My Life with a Theory
Author: Jack Rayman
Publisher:
Total Pages:
Release: 2020-06-15
Genre:
ISBN: 9781885333612

In 1959, John L. Holland introduced a theory of vocational choices, which is still used today. It embraces a personality typology involving six models (widely known as the Holland Code, or RIASEC). Here in this new publication, readers will finally see Holland's previously unpublished autobiography and appreciate this antidote for imperfect secondary accounts of the theory.This long-awaited book provides counseling practitioners, counselor educators, researchers, vocational psychologists and students with: 1) a clear and concise understanding of the Holland Theory and its implications for practice, 2) a snapshot of John Holland's life-long effort to establish the efficacy of the theory, and 3) an appreciation for the life of an accomplished theoretician and researcher and his impact on the counseling profession.

Science and Creationism

Science and Creationism
Author: National Academy of Sciences (U.S.)
Publisher: National Academies Press
Total Pages: 48
Release: 1999
Genre: Education
ISBN: 9780309064064

This edition of Science and Creationism summarizes key aspects of several of the most important lines of evidence supporting evolution. It describes some of the positions taken by advocates of creation science and presents an analysis of these claims. This document lays out for a broader audience the case against presenting religious concepts in science classes. The document covers the origin of the universe, Earth, and life; evidence supporting biological evolution; and human evolution. (Contains 31 references.) (CCM)

The Quest for a Universal Theory of Life

The Quest for a Universal Theory of Life
Author: Carol E. Cleland
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Total Pages: 261
Release: 2019-09-12
Genre: Science
ISBN: 052187324X

Explores fundamental philosophical and scientific questions about the nature of life, particularly in relation to the search for extraterrestrial life.

The Nature of Life

The Nature of Life
Author: Mark A. Bedau
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Total Pages: 443
Release: 2018-11-22
Genre: Philosophy
ISBN: 1108722067

Introduces a broad range of scientific and philosophical issues about life through the original historical and contemporary sources.

Conjectures and Refutations

Conjectures and Refutations
Author: Karl Raimund Popper
Publisher: Psychology Press
Total Pages: 614
Release: 2002
Genre: Knowledge, Theory of
ISBN: 9780415285940

Conjectures and Refutations is one of Karl Popper's most wide-ranging and popular works, notable not only for its acute insight into the way scientific knowledge grows, but also for applying those insights to politics and to history. It provides one of the clearest and most accessible statements of the fundamental idea that guided his work: not only our knowledge, but our aims and our standards, grow through an unending process of trial and error.

Molecular Theory of the Living Cell

Molecular Theory of the Living Cell
Author: Sungchul Ji
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 751
Release: 2012-04-05
Genre: Science
ISBN: 1461421527

The book presents the first comprehensive molecular theory of the living cell ever published since the cell doctrine was formulated in 1838-1839. It introduces into cell biology over thirty key concepts, principles and laws imported from physics, chemistry, computer science, linguistics, semiotics and philosophy. The author formulates physically, chemically and enzymologically realistic molecular mechanisms to account for basic living processes such as ligand-receptor interactions, enzymic catalysis, force-generating mechanisms in molecular motors, chromatin remodelling, and signal transduction. Possible solutions to basic and practical problems facing contemporary biology and biomedical sciences have been suggested, including pharmacotherapeutics and personalized medicine.

Concepts and Theories of Human Development

Concepts and Theories of Human Development
Author: Richard M. Lerner
Publisher: Psychology Press
Total Pages: 636
Release: 2013-05-13
Genre: Psychology
ISBN: 1135681899

A classic in the field, this third edition will continue to be the book of choice for advanced undergraduate and graduate-level courses in theories of human development in departments of psychology and human development. This volume has been substantially revised with an eye toward supporting applied developmental science and the developmental systems perspectives. Since the publication of the second edition, developmental systems theories have taken center stage in contemporary developmental science and have provided compelling alternatives to reductionist theoretical accounts having either a nature or nurture emphasis. As a consequence, a developmental systems orientation frames the presentation in this edition. This new edition has been expanded substantially in comparison to the second edition. Special features include: * A separate chapter focuses on the historical roots of concepts and theories of human development, on philosophical models of development, and on developmental contextualism. * Two new chapters surrounding the discussion of developmental contextualism--one on developmental systems theories wherein several exemplars of such models are discussed and a corresponding chapter wherein key instances of such theories--life span, life course, bioecological, and action theoretical ones--are presented. * A new chapter on cognition and development is included, contrasting systems' approaches to cognitive development with neo-nativist perspectives. * A more differentiated treatment of nature-oriented theories of development is provided. There are separate chapters on behavior genetics, the controversy surrounding the study of the heritability of intelligence, work on the instinctual theory of Konrad Lorenz, and a new chapter on sociobiology. * A new chapter concentrates on applied developmental science.

Biological Autonomy

Biological Autonomy
Author: Alvaro Moreno
Publisher: Springer
Total Pages: 249
Release: 2015-05-04
Genre: Philosophy
ISBN: 9401798370

Since Darwin, Biology has been framed on the idea of evolution by natural selection, which has profoundly influenced the scientific and philosophical comprehension of biological phenomena and of our place in Nature. This book argues that contemporary biology should progress towards and revolve around an even more fundamental idea, that of autonomy. Biological autonomy describes living organisms as organised systems, which are able to self-produce and self-maintain as integrated entities, to establish their own goals and norms, and to promote the conditions of their existence through their interactions with the environment. Topics covered in this book include organisation and biological emergence, organisms, agency, levels of autonomy, cognition, and a look at the historical dimension of autonomy. The current development of scientific investigations on autonomous organisation calls for a theoretical and philosophical analysis. This can contribute to the elaboration of an original understanding of life - including human life - on Earth, opening new perspectives and enabling fecund interactions with other existing theories and approaches. This book takes up the challenge.