Understanding Metaphors in the Life Sciences

Introduces the diverse roles metaphors play in the life sciences and highlights their significance for theory, communication, and education.

Andrew S. Reynolds (Author)

9781108940498, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 28 April 2022

150 pages, 15 b/w illus.
17.7 x 12.8 x 1 cm, 0.25 kg

'… Metaphors are ubiquitous in science, but especially so in biology, and the aim of the volume is to help us make sense of that … it offers a concise but comprehensive survey of the issue at hand. …The volume concludes with a nice succinct summary of common misunderstandings of the role of metaphors. To bring order to a rather sprawling literature, Reynolds introduces several helpful distinctions … Reynolds's treatment of the topic offers fine help to stay alert.' J. Arvid Ågren, The Quarterly Review of Biology

Covering a range of metaphors from a diverse field of sciences, from cell and molecular biology to evolution, ecology, and biomedicine, Understanding Metaphors in the Life Sciences explores the positive and negative implications of the widespread use of metaphors in the biological and life sciences. From genetic codes, programs, and blueprints, to cell factories, survival of the fittest, the tree of life, selfish genes, and ecological niches, to genome editing with CRISPR's molecular scissors, metaphors are ubiquitous and vital components of the modern life sciences. But how exactly do metaphors help scientists to understand the objects they study? How can they mislead both scientists and laypeople alike? And what should we all understand about the implications of science's reliance on metaphorical speech and thought for objective knowledge and adequate public policy informed by science? This book will literally help you to better understand the metaphorical dimensions of science.

1. Metaphors and science
2. Background metaphors: agents, machines, and information
3. Genes and genomes: agents, codes, programs, blueprints, and books
4. Proteins: machines, messengers, and team players
5. Cells: factories, computers, and social organisms
6. Evolution: natural selection, the tree of life, and selfish genes
7. Ecology: the balance of nature, niches, ecosystem health, and gaia
8. Biomedicine: genetic engineering, genome editing, and cell reprogramming.

Subject Areas: Animal ecology [PSVS], Genetics [non-medical PSAK], Evolution [PSAJ], Life sciences: general issues [PSA], History of science [PDX], Scientific nomenclature & classification [PDC], Philosophy of science [PDA]