The Royal Institution of Great Britain
21 Albemarle Street
London
W1S 4BS
The ERC-funded project ‘A Process Ontology for Contemporary Biology’ (2013-2018) has sought to rethink central issues in the philosophy of biology by elaborating an ontology for biology that takes full account of the processual nature of living systems. The goal has been to develop a concept of process adequate for addressing the multiple levels of interacting processes at different time scales characteristic of living systems. All biological entities can be analysed as stabilised processes relative to an appropriate time scale, and this conception provides a better understanding of familiar biological pluralisms (about genes, organisms, species, etc..) in terms of different ways in which distinct scientific practices intersect with biological processes. A process perspective has been used to shed light on a number of traditional philosophical problems, including individuation, classification, persistence, explanation, essentialism, and reductionism. It has also addressed the consequences of a process perspective for particular areas of contemporary biological and biomedical research.
This final conference will present the main findings of the project and explore the broader consequences of a process ontology for biology, as well as suggest further avenues of future research in the philosophy of biology and metaphysics.
There are 74 places available at this conference and includes lunch and refreshments on all three days.
The conference dinner is an optional extra and takes place at the Grazing Goat, New Quebec Street, London.
Places for the dinner are limited to 34 and are therefore subject to availability.
The conference is heavily subsidised with a nominal registration fee. We are therefore unable to offer refunds for cancellation.
Conference Programme
Click here for conference programme
Registration
- The fee (£20) includes lunch and refreshments on all three days
- Registration is now open
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Directions
The ProBio conference will take place in the library room on the first floor of the building.
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