Situer l’analyse phylogénétique entre les sciences historiques et expérimentales

This article offers a conceptual study of a scientific practice. Phylogenetic analysis is one of the main methods of evolutionary biology as it allows us to deduce the evolutionary relationships between different species or organisms. In current practice, these analyses are often performed with the...

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Main Authors: Thomas Bonnin, Jonathan Lombard
Format: Article
Language:deu
Published: Éditions Kimé 2019-05-01
Series:Philosophia Scientiæ
Online Access:http://journals.openedition.org/philosophiascientiae/1957
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author Thomas Bonnin
Jonathan Lombard
author_facet Thomas Bonnin
Jonathan Lombard
author_sort Thomas Bonnin
collection DOAJ
description This article offers a conceptual study of a scientific practice. Phylogenetic analysis is one of the main methods of evolutionary biology as it allows us to deduce the evolutionary relationships between different species or organisms. In current practice, these analyses are often performed with the help of molecular data, resulting in what are called molecular phylogenies. A major question is what is the best way to characterize this practice? We begin with a presentation of this method articulated in four stages: (1) identification; (2) alignment of homologous sequences (stemming from a common ancestor); (3) construction (4) interpretation of phylogenetic trees. We show that phylogenetic analyses are not experiments, and therefore do not belong to the “laboratory style”, as defined by Hacking. This practice does not correspond to a typical practice from the historical sciences, as described by Cleland. Although there is only a partial correspondence between phylogenetic analysis and these conceptualizations, we argue that each confrontation sheds light on distinct aspects of this practice. We also question the idea of a strong methodological separation between experimental sciences and historical sciences.
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spelling doaj.art-cd63bcc28b4d43c9abf206bc113112922023-12-06T15:53:25ZdeuÉditions KiméPhilosophia Scientiæ1281-24631775-42832019-05-0123213114810.4000/philosophiascientiae.1957Situer l’analyse phylogénétique entre les sciences historiques et expérimentalesThomas BonninJonathan LombardThis article offers a conceptual study of a scientific practice. Phylogenetic analysis is one of the main methods of evolutionary biology as it allows us to deduce the evolutionary relationships between different species or organisms. In current practice, these analyses are often performed with the help of molecular data, resulting in what are called molecular phylogenies. A major question is what is the best way to characterize this practice? We begin with a presentation of this method articulated in four stages: (1) identification; (2) alignment of homologous sequences (stemming from a common ancestor); (3) construction (4) interpretation of phylogenetic trees. We show that phylogenetic analyses are not experiments, and therefore do not belong to the “laboratory style”, as defined by Hacking. This practice does not correspond to a typical practice from the historical sciences, as described by Cleland. Although there is only a partial correspondence between phylogenetic analysis and these conceptualizations, we argue that each confrontation sheds light on distinct aspects of this practice. We also question the idea of a strong methodological separation between experimental sciences and historical sciences.http://journals.openedition.org/philosophiascientiae/1957
spellingShingle Thomas Bonnin
Jonathan Lombard
Situer l’analyse phylogénétique entre les sciences historiques et expérimentales
Philosophia Scientiæ
title Situer l’analyse phylogénétique entre les sciences historiques et expérimentales
title_full Situer l’analyse phylogénétique entre les sciences historiques et expérimentales
title_fullStr Situer l’analyse phylogénétique entre les sciences historiques et expérimentales
title_full_unstemmed Situer l’analyse phylogénétique entre les sciences historiques et expérimentales
title_short Situer l’analyse phylogénétique entre les sciences historiques et expérimentales
title_sort situer l analyse phylogenetique entre les sciences historiques et experimentales
url http://journals.openedition.org/philosophiascientiae/1957
work_keys_str_mv AT thomasbonnin situerlanalysephylogenetiqueentrelesscienceshistoriquesetexperimentales
AT jonathanlombard situerlanalysephylogenetiqueentrelesscienceshistoriquesetexperimentales