Limitations of Reductionism: Lessons from Living Cells (Frontiers of the Century)

Author: (American) Rothman, Stephen, translated by Li Chuangtong, Wang Ce
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-07-01
Features: Can a complete understanding of the core substances of life, DNA and proteins, grasp the essence of life? Through protein molecular membrane transport research that began in the 1960s, American biologist Stephen Rothman, with examples and evidence from living cells, provides his answer. Dr. Rothman points out that equating the embodiment of life's substances or the aggregation of life's components with the whole of life itself is a mistaken belief that contradicts experimental observations of self-organizing cells. This belief stems from the "strong micro-reductionism" that still dominates the research mindset in the field of biology. After 40 years of struggle against this reductionist method, Dr. Rothman, through his own story, presents us with a fresh perspective on the mechanisms of scientific controversy and the essence of science.