PHILOSOPHY 363L
Spring 1999
Philosophy of Biology
Instructor: Sahotra Sarkar.
Office Hours: W. 3 –5 p.m.,
but students are welcome any time I’m in.
E-mail: <sarkar@mail.utexas.edu>.
Office: 309 Waggener.
Phone: (512) 471 –5293.
FAX: (512) 471 -4806.
This is a course that looks at the philosophical problems raised by contemporary biology
paying attention to: (i) the interpretation of biological knowledge; (ii) the procedures for
acquiring and justifying this knowledge; (iii) the relations between the various biological
sub-disciplines; and, though only to a very limited extent (because of constraints of
time) (iv) the cultural and social significance of biology. The semester will begin with a
close look at the molecular revolution that transformed 20th-century biology through the
introduction of the DNA double helix model and the decipherment of the genetic code.
The problems of holism, physicalism and reductionism will be introduced. The course
will then go on to explore philosophical questions about how adult organisms develop
from a fertilized cell and, in the case of higher mammals, the relation between minds
and brains. This will be followed by a brief look at the epistemological problems
generated by the complexities of the mammalian immune system. The discussion will
then shift to genetics and genetic reductionism, that is, the claims that genes determine
or explain biological relations and processes. The conceptual and epistemological
problems of evolutionary biology as well as its implications for human culture will be
discussed next. Topics discussed will include evolutionary psychology and sociobiology.
Finally, the course will turn to ecology, to the relation between organism and
environment. First, the methodological problems of ecological modeling and prediction
will be discussed. Then attention will shift to the problem of biodiversity depletion and
the possible measures that can be taken to halt extinctions. The normative reasons for
wanting biological conservation will also be briefly discussed.
Prerequisites: At least a pedestrian acquaintance with contemporary biology is
expected. This course will be easier for those who have had previous exposure to logic
or the philosophy of science. However, this is not a formal requirement.
Texts: (i) Packets of readings are being made available at “Paradigm” (482 -7986); the
first packet, which contains the readings for the first 4 weeks is already available. These
readings are also being put on the web at <www.coursepackets.com> and may be
printed from that source. The readings for each week are described in the syllabus
below; those marked “*” are recommended but not required;
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(ii) lecture notes describing each week’s topics will also be put on the web at the end of
each week. Details will be announced later in class. These notes should not be
regarded as an alternative way of accessing material presented in class. Full
attendance is expected and the examination (see below) will test all materials presented
in class or present in the readings assigned in the course packets. Reading these notes
is not a requirement for the course. These notes are part of a book-in-progress.
Sometimes they will discuss more advanced topics than what are presented in class.
These topics will not be broached in the examination.
Requirements: Grades will be assigned on the basis of two requirements: (i) an openbook mid-term examination which will consist of multiple-choice and short-answer
questions (worth 50 % of the grade); and (ii) a 3000-word (roughly 10 double-spaced
pages) paper due at the end of the semester (worth 50 % of the grade). The paper topic
must be selected from a set of alternatives that will be provided in class.
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