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Bioinformatics and biological reality.

Ingvar Johansson1

  • 1The Institute for Formal Ontology and Medical Information Science (IFOMIS), Saarland University, Germany. ingvar.johansson@ifomis.uni-saarland.de

Journal of Biomedical Informatics
|October 4, 2005
PubMed
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This paper argues that bioinformaticians should embrace epistemological realism, acknowledging a mind-independent biological reality. Understanding the distinction between using and mentioning terms is crucial for robust bioinformatics research.

Area of Science:

  • Philosophy of Science
  • Bioinformatics
  • Epistemology

Background:

  • Many bioinformaticians doubt the existence of a mind-independent biological reality.
  • This skepticism, often stemming from working primarily with abstract concepts, is problematic.
  • The paper addresses the philosophical underpinnings of bioinformatics.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To challenge the reluctance of bioinformaticians to accept epistemological realism.
  • To demonstrate the importance of considering whether conceptual terms refer to actual biological entities.
  • To familiarize bioinformaticians with key philosophy of science positions.

Main Methods:

  • Examines three major positions in the philosophy of science.
  • Defends Karl Popper's epistemological realism.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Distinguishes between the use and mention of terms and concepts in bioinformatics.

    • Main Results:

    • Argues that the tendency to doubt a mind-independent reality is unfounded and detrimental.
    • Highlights the practical importance of the use-mention distinction for epistemological realism in bioinformatics.
    • Provides concluding remarks on realism's relevance to bioinformatics.

    Conclusions:

    • Bioinformaticians should adopt epistemological realism for a more robust understanding of biological reality.
    • The distinction between using and mentioning terms is vital for sound scientific practice.
    • Philosophical clarity enhances the foundations of bioinformatics.