Article ID: CBB515852529

Ontologically Simple Theories Do Not Indicate the True Nature of Complex Biological Systems: Three Test Cases (2020)

unapi

A longstanding philosophical premise perceives simplicity as a desirable attribute of scientific theories. One of several raised justifications for this notion is that simple theories are more likely to indicate the true makeup of natural systems. Qualitatively parsimonious hypotheses and theories keep to a minimum the number of different postulated entities within a system. Formulation of such ontologically simple working hypotheses proved to be useful in the experimental probing of narrowly defined bio systems. It is less certain, however, whether qualitatively parsimonious theories are effective indicators of the true nature of complex biological systems. This paper assesses the success of ontologically simple theories in envisaging the makeup of three complex systems in bacteriology, immunology, and molecular biology. Evidence shows that parsimonious theories completely misconstrued the actual ontologically complex constitutions of the three examined systems. Since evolution and selective pressures typically produce ontologically intricate rather than simple bio systems, qualitatively parsimonious theories are mostly inapt indicators of the true nature of complex biological systems.

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Authors & Contributors
Kranke, Nina
Maria Jose Arrojo
Brzović, Zdenka
Yucel, Robyn
Heur, Bas van
Escribano-Cabeza, Miguel
Concepts
Philosophy of science
Molecular biology
Systems biology
Ontology
Epistemology
Genetics
Time Periods
21st century
20th century, late
20th century
18th century
Places
Switzerland
New Mexico (U.S.)
Institutions
Santa Fe Institute
Johns Hopkins University
Human Genome Project
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