“Molecular Biology”—Pleonasm or Denotation for a Discipline of Its Own? Reflections on the Origins of Molecular Biology and Its Situation Today
The disciplinary identity of molecular biology has frequently been called into question. Although the debates might sometimes have been more about creating or debunking myths, defending intellectual territory and the distribution of resources, there are interesting underlying questions about this ar...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2023-10-01
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| Series: | Biomolecules |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2218-273X/13/10/1511 |
| _version_ | 1797574532175757312 |
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| author | Gregor P. Greslehner |
| author_facet | Gregor P. Greslehner |
| author_sort | Gregor P. Greslehner |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The disciplinary identity of molecular biology has frequently been called into question. Although the debates might sometimes have been more about creating or debunking myths, defending intellectual territory and the distribution of resources, there are interesting underlying questions about this area of biology and how it is conceptually organized. By looking at the history of molecular biology, its origins and development, I examine the possible criteria for its status as a scientific discipline. Doing so allows us to answer the title question in such a way that offers a reasonable middle ground, where molecular biology can be properly viewed as a viable interdisciplinary program that can very well be called a discipline in its own right, even if no strict boundaries can be established. In addition to this historical analysis, a couple of systematic issues from a philosophy of science perspective allow for some assessment of the current situation and the future of molecular biology. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T21:24:47Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-b7ce6fbf0efc42c0857888a8a98ef457 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2218-273X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T21:24:47Z |
| publishDate | 2023-10-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Biomolecules |
| spelling | doaj.art-b7ce6fbf0efc42c0857888a8a98ef4572023-11-19T15:50:17ZengMDPI AGBiomolecules2218-273X2023-10-011310151110.3390/biom13101511“Molecular Biology”—Pleonasm or Denotation for a Discipline of Its Own? Reflections on the Origins of Molecular Biology and Its Situation TodayGregor P. Greslehner0Department of Philosophy, University of Vienna, Universitätsstraße 7, 1010 Vienna, AustriaThe disciplinary identity of molecular biology has frequently been called into question. Although the debates might sometimes have been more about creating or debunking myths, defending intellectual territory and the distribution of resources, there are interesting underlying questions about this area of biology and how it is conceptually organized. By looking at the history of molecular biology, its origins and development, I examine the possible criteria for its status as a scientific discipline. Doing so allows us to answer the title question in such a way that offers a reasonable middle ground, where molecular biology can be properly viewed as a viable interdisciplinary program that can very well be called a discipline in its own right, even if no strict boundaries can be established. In addition to this historical analysis, a couple of systematic issues from a philosophy of science perspective allow for some assessment of the current situation and the future of molecular biology.https://www.mdpi.com/2218-273X/13/10/1511molecular biologyhistorydisciplinecentral dogmaphilosophy of science |
| spellingShingle | Gregor P. Greslehner “Molecular Biology”—Pleonasm or Denotation for a Discipline of Its Own? Reflections on the Origins of Molecular Biology and Its Situation Today Biomolecules molecular biology history discipline central dogma philosophy of science |
| title | “Molecular Biology”—Pleonasm or Denotation for a Discipline of Its Own? Reflections on the Origins of Molecular Biology and Its Situation Today |
| title_full | “Molecular Biology”—Pleonasm or Denotation for a Discipline of Its Own? Reflections on the Origins of Molecular Biology and Its Situation Today |
| title_fullStr | “Molecular Biology”—Pleonasm or Denotation for a Discipline of Its Own? Reflections on the Origins of Molecular Biology and Its Situation Today |
| title_full_unstemmed | “Molecular Biology”—Pleonasm or Denotation for a Discipline of Its Own? Reflections on the Origins of Molecular Biology and Its Situation Today |
| title_short | “Molecular Biology”—Pleonasm or Denotation for a Discipline of Its Own? Reflections on the Origins of Molecular Biology and Its Situation Today |
| title_sort | molecular biology pleonasm or denotation for a discipline of its own reflections on the origins of molecular biology and its situation today |
| topic | molecular biology history discipline central dogma philosophy of science |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2218-273X/13/10/1511 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT gregorpgreslehner molecularbiologypleonasmordenotationforadisciplineofitsownreflectionsontheoriginsofmolecularbiologyanditssituationtoday |