Matter, metaphors, and mechanisms: rethinking cell theories

This study analyzes the logical structure of classical cell theory (CCT) by pointing out that CCT conceives the properties of organic cellular matter as supervenient to successively emerging states of quasi-crystalline atoms. This concept supports the design of a metaphorical space the intelligible components of which display an explanatory structure in accordance with the contemporary complex-systems approach of mechanisms. These findings support the thesis of an explanatory turn within the life-sciences due to a conflict between anti-classificatory (Buffon), analogous (Wolff, Reil, Weber), and causal-mechanical (Kepler) strategies of explanation. The continuous process underlying these diverse discontinuities is taken to be the immanent process of objectifying scientific concepts for the need of explanation. This process repeatedly provides concepts which are identified as nomadic concepts. The meta-analysis of their interactions reveals that concepts of matter are obtained by idealizations which entertain one process with three dimensions: atomization originating from empirical classificatory regularities (classification) and aiming at an explanation of changing phenomena (dynamization). These dimensions are successfully incorporated into the explanatory scheme of CCT. The migrations of a second group of nomadic concepts beyond this historical point of transition are made responsible for blurring the explanatory turn.