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Possible Life The Philosophical Significance of Extending Biology
Possible Life: The Philosophical Significance of Extending Biology Due to the latest technological advances in genetic engineering and space technology, scientists have developed strategies to engineer novel biological systems in... Possible Life: The Philosophical Significance of Extending Biology Due to the latest technological advances in genetic engineering and space technology, scientists have developed strategies to engineer novel biological systems in laboratories, and to study through space telescopes the signs of possible life from other planets and solar systems. These newly discovered biological possibilities may turn out to be epoch-making. Apart from challenging our notion of life, they also have fundamental philosophical implications. The very question motivating the project is: How is biology being extended beyond the actual evolved life on Earth – and what is the philosophical significance of the turn to possible life? This question is studied through a two-pronged approach that puts scientific practice into a dialogue with philosophy of science and naturalistic metaphysics. First, the project examines the emerging fields of synthetic biology and astrobiology. The key themes studied include unnatural biochemical bases and organizational principles of life, synthetic life, evolutionary possibilities and constraints, and the habitability of exoplanets. Empirical studies in six leading laboratories in Europe and the US are used to inform the study of these themes. Second, the research on possible life is employed as a resource for the development of philosophical theory. The three philosophical subprojects examine (i) modelling and simulating the possible, (ii) multiple realizability of biological kinds, and (iii) contingency and necessity in biology. The project will advance our understanding of the modal dimension of science by addressing a paramount case – life. The project draws together and develops diverse strands in theorizing of the possible within philosophy of science and metaphysics. Through an unconventional combination of philosophical and empirical analysis the project seeks to facilitate the application of metaphysical concepts to cutting-edge scientific research. ver más
30/09/2024
UNIVIE
2M€
Duración del proyecto: 65 meses Fecha Inicio: 2019-04-30
Fecha Fin: 2024-09-30

Línea de financiación: concedida

El organismo H2020 notifico la concesión del proyecto el día 2024-09-30
Línea de financiación objetivo El proyecto se financió a través de la siguiente ayuda:
ERC-2018-COG: ERC Consolidator Grant
Cerrada hace 6 años
Presupuesto El presupuesto total del proyecto asciende a 2M€
Líder del proyecto
UNIVERSITAT WIEN No se ha especificado una descripción o un objeto social para esta compañía.
Perfil tecnológico TRL 4-5