Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
action of external global constraints. Real organisation phenomena
are processes of hetero-organisation, not of self-organisation.
This chapter will attempt to analyse holism.
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First of all, we will
recall the founding principles of modern science, then analyse philo-
sophical holism in order to understand in what respect it is opposed
to it. Finally, we shall study the theories of self-organisation, and see
that they do not provide any solution to the problem posed by the
non-specificity of biological molecules.
5.1
The scientific principles
Modern science grew up in the 17th century on the basis of several
principles, the most well-known of which is having recourse to
experimental method. Knowledge is constructed through dialogue
with nature, so every hypothesis should be formulated from
observed facts and subjected to experiment. This is the aspect
immediately mentioned to differentiate science from earlier schol-
arly practices. However, it is a simplification that fails to take
account of another aspect which is just as important. Although
experimental method is essential to scientific practice, it is not
enough, as the latter cannot be reduced to methodology alone. Our
predecessors in the Middle Ages and Antiquity were not so naïve as
to believe that one can assert something without that assertion
being logically expressed and conforming to experience. On the con-
trary indeed, Aristotle created a logic that we continue to use today
and pre-scientific discourses constantly resorted to arguments based
on observation (Lenoble, 1969). Scientific practice has developed
enormously since the 17th century, because a true philosophical rev-
olution occurred which accompanied the development of experimen-
tal techniques. Animism and finalism were rejected to make room
for a new conception that Jacques Monod called the 'postulate of
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The Greek word 'holos' means 'whole', 'all', 'entire'.
