The Structure and Development of Concepts in the Life Sciences
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Date: February 07-09 2022
Format: Hybrid; both online presentation and participation are possible. Location: Zentrum für Interdisziplinäre Forschung, Bielefeld University Organizers: Dr. Philipp Haueis, Dr. Morgan Thompson & Prof. Dr. Marie Kaiser, Department of Philosophy, Bielefeld University |
This workshop brings together philosophers of science to discuss the structure, development and normative status of concepts across biology, neuroscience and cognitive science. The leading role of the life sciences is partly due to the introduction or modification of concepts (“gene”, “race”, “memory”) which profoundly shape our understanding of the natural and social world. It aims to deepen our philosophical understanding of the role of concepts in the life sciences and for broader public debates.
The workshop focuses on the following topics:
- Conceptual development: What are common features of gradual conceptual change and conceptual development across the life sciences?
- Conceptual structure: Do different approaches to conceptual structure (e.g. concept pluralism or concept eliminativism) apply to all concepts in the life sciences or are they tailored towards specific classes of concepts?
- Normative status of concepts: What are the normative standards by which we ought to evaluate scientific concepts? In the life sciences, how do normative elements of concepts (such as their social and political goals or normative properties) impact their descriptive elements?
Click here for a more detailed description of the workshop.
This workshop is funded by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (Project number 462931168).
