Descripción del proyecto
Respuestas a preguntas filosóficas sobre la extensión de la biología
¿Cómo se está extendiendo la biología más allá de la vida en la Tierra y cuál es su significado filosófico? El proyecto LIFEMODE, financiado con fondos europeos, responderá a estas preguntas valiéndose de un planteamiento que entabla un diálogo entre la práctica científica y la filosofía de la ciencia y la metafísica naturalista. Se examinarán los campos emergentes de la biología sintética y la astrobiología, centrándose en los temas de las bases bioquímicas antinaturales y los principios organizativos de la vida, la vida sintética, las posibilidades y limitaciones evolutivas y la habitabilidad de los exoplanetas. El objetivo general de LIFEMODE es ampliar nuestros conocimientos sobre la dimensión metafísica de la ciencia, y aprovechar y desarrollar diversos aspectos de la teorización mediante la filosofía de la ciencia y los conceptos de la metafísica.
Objetivo
Possible Life: The Philosophical Significance of Extending Biology
Due to the latest technological advances in genetic engineering and space technology, scientists have developed strategies to engineer novel biological systems in laboratories, and to study through space telescopes the signs of possible life from other planets and solar systems. These newly discovered biological possibilities may turn out to be epoch-making. Apart from challenging our notion of life, they also have fundamental philosophical implications. The very question motivating the project is: How is biology being extended beyond the actual evolved life on Earth – and what is the philosophical significance of the turn to possible life? This question is studied through a two-pronged approach that puts scientific practice into a dialogue with philosophy of science and naturalistic metaphysics.
First, the project examines the emerging fields of synthetic biology and astrobiology. The key themes studied include unnatural biochemical bases and organizational principles of life, synthetic life, evolutionary possibilities and constraints, and the habitability of exoplanets. Empirical studies in six leading laboratories in Europe and the US are used to inform the study of these themes. Second, the research on possible life is employed as a resource for the development of philosophical theory. The three philosophical subprojects examine (i) modelling and simulating the possible, (ii) multiple realizability of biological kinds, and (iii) contingency and necessity in biology.
The project will advance our understanding of the modal dimension of science by addressing a paramount case – life. The project draws together and develops diverse strands in theorizing of the possible within philosophy of science and metaphysics. Through an unconventional combination of philosophical and empirical analysis the project seeks to facilitate the application of metaphysical concepts to cutting-edge scientific research.
Ámbito científico
- natural sciencesbiological sciencessynthetic biology
- humanitiesphilosophy, ethics and religionphilosophyhistory of philosophycontemporary philosophy
- humanitiesphilosophy, ethics and religionphilosophymetaphysics
- natural sciencesphysical sciencesastronomyplanetary sciencesplanetsexoplanetology
- natural sciencesphysical sciencesastronomyobservational astronomy
Palabras clave
Programa(s)
Régimen de financiación
ERC-COG - Consolidator GrantInstitución de acogida
1010 Wien
Austria