Emergency and its understanding in biology Cover Image

Emergencja i jej rozumienie w biologii
Emergency and its understanding in biology

Author(s): Józef Bremer
Subject(s): Philosophy
Published by: Wydawnictwo Naukowe Uniwersytetu Kardynała Stefana Wyszyńskiego w Warszawie
Keywords: soul; theories of emergency; closure of the biological constraints; causal influence;

Summary/Abstract: After a review of the reductionist theories and the emergency theory, I will present Piotr Lenartowicz SJ’s understanding of the emergence observed in living organisms and his reference to the Aristotelian-Thomistic concept of the ‘soul’ (‘substantial form’). Next, I will compare this understanding to contemporary, philosophical–biological emergency theories that refer to the role of biological limitations in maintaining life and in the functioning of the organism. In conclusion, I will point out the fundamental differences in the understanding of emergency according to Lenartowicz and the authors of the aforementioned theories.

  • Issue Year: 17/2019
  • Issue No: 2
  • Page Range: 29-40
  • Page Count: 12
  • Language: Polish