This course is for anyone with an interest in learning more about the conceptual and philosophical foundations of the life sciences. Philosophy of biology addresses questions including: What is life? Why do living things inevitably die? Could artificial life (for example, synthetic cells made in a laboratory) ever be genuinely alive? How should we understand the role of our genes in shaping who we are? We're told that it's important to conserve biodiversity, but what exactly is biodiversity, and should it be the main target of conservation efforts? How do (and how should) social values relate to life scientists' study of human behaviour, sexuality, and other topics? How does our increasing knowledge of microbial life, including the bacteria and other microorganisms living inside our own bodies, affect our understanding of the living world and of what it means to be human?
We will discuss works by both philosophers and biologists, including historical and contemporary case studies from the life sciences. That said, no particular background in science will be expected or assumed in this course.
Many of the issues we will address are contentious—people have argued about them for decades or even centuries, and are still arguing—so we will not just be learning about what others have said, but engaging with ongoing debates at the interface of the humanities and life sciences. A particular focus will be on developing your critical reading, reasoning, and writing skills in an interdisciplinary context.