The Importance of Biology to Philosophy: THE CASE FOR PHILOSOPHY OF
BIOLOGY
This paper argues for the importance of
issues raised by biology to the practice of philosophy. Acknowledging the
importance of biology to philosophy would also mean that the study and
knowledge of biology is also important. At first blush this may be obvious to
some when they think of bioethics or medical ethics. The overwrought issue of
abortion and contraception immediately come to mind. However, there are other
issues that bear directly on philosophical discussion. As a field of study,
this is called philosophy of biology, involving discussions between scientists
and philosophers. Philosophy of biology features works of scientists and
philosophers from the issues stemming from evolution, sociobiology, the human
genome project and creationism.
Difficulties
in recognizing such a field arise for those who think that there is an
unbridgeable gulf between science and philosophy. Many of those who engage in
philosophy of biology do not think of such a gulf, for many of them are
naturalists. Naturalism is the view that philosophy is continuous with science.
While naturalism is not an unproblematic view and methodology, it has
flourished in philosophy of biology. Philosophers, insofar as they are not
naturalists, would probably argue the importance of philosophy to biology. Arguing
for the importance of philosophy to biology may be satisfactory to traditional
philosophical discussion. But what of problems stemming from issues found in
biology? Should philosophers be ignorant of these issues? A case in point would be human nature. Researches
in sociobiology and genetics have reframed the question of human nature.
Whereas before one can think of an armchair intellectual reflecting on his
thoughts; it would be more difficult now to ignore the findings of the fields
just mentioned.
Historically, the American pragmatists
Peirce, James and Dewey recognized the significance of Darwin. Unfortunately,
mischaracterizations of their thoughts proved to downplay their contributions
to philosophy. Thankfully, recent philosophers like Elliot Sober, Philip
Kitcher and Peter Godfrey-Smith has led to recover this significance.
Philosophy’s relevance can be found anew
by acknowledging the importance of biology. The former cannot stay in the
armchair. Many of the issues raised by findings in the latter are not merely
for abstract theorizing in the classroom. While such theorizing does have its
place, the concerns raised in biology are for all human beings, philosopher or
not.
