From the atom to living systems a chemical and philosophical journey into modern and contemporary science / Marina Paola Banchetti-Robino and Giovanni Villani.

Author/creator Banchetti-Robino, Marina Paola
Other author Oxford University Press.
Format Electronic
Publication InfoNew York, NY : Oxford University Press, [2023]
Descriptionvii, 296 pages ; 24 cm
Supplemental ContentFull text available from Oxford Scholarship Online
Subjects

Abstract "The philosophical vision of the world and the consequent methodology behind the book are clarified. The perspective used is the systemic one, but since today this term has assumed a wide and diversified meaning in the literature, this introduction will clarify the specific meaning of our approach, starting from the meaning of the term "system". Our idea of system is based on three key assertions that may seem contradictory, but are necessary and complementary to its definition. In particular, we considered the usual idea that the system is more and less than the sum of its juxtaposed parts, highlighting the role of emergencies and constraints. In our idea of a system, however, we must consider a third fundamental characteristic: its dynamism, the dual nature of the system as an entity and as a process, its role as a "dynamic entity". Afterwards, the holistic and reductionist approaches were analysed in detail, and both the specific merits and the fact that these two opposing worldviews, considered individually, cannot give a complete and balanced description of reality, were taken into account. For us, only the systemic approach provides a balanced description of both the parts and the whole and must, therefore, be preferred. Finally, the differences between our approach and the approaches mentioned above have been considered in detail in this introduction"-- Provided by publisher.
Bibliography noteIncludes bibliographical references (pages [269]-280) and index.
Access restrictionAvailable only to authorized users.
Technical detailsMode of access: World Wide Web
Genre/formElectronic books.
LCCN 2023021918
ISBN9780197598900 (hardback)
ISBN(epub)

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