Methods and Morals in the Life Sciences

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Methods and Morals in the Life Sciences A Guide for Analyzing and Writing Texts

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Wim J. van der Steen, Vincent K. Y. Ho

ISBN: 0-275-97119-8

ISBN-13: 978-0-275-97119-9

DOI:

224 pages

Praeger Publishers

Publication: 4/30/2001

List Price: $99.95 (UK Sterling Price: £68.95)

Availability: In Stock

Media Type: Hardcover

Trim Size: 6 1/8 x 9 1/4

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Description: Most researchers would be amazed to discover that opinions they have about cherished themes in biology and medicine are biased. Van der Steen and Ho contend that logic and methodology are not well applied in biology and medicine, arguing that the impact of social and moral factors on claims within these two disciplines is underestimated. In response to this situation, Van der Steen and Ho present tools from logic and ethics for assessing existing literature. These tools will help to create sound articles and materials in the life sciences.

After reviewing logic and methodological approaches, broad guidelines are used to place science in a social context. Examples from life sciences illustrate the implementation of logic, methodology, and guidelines in forty-five brief case studies. Each study includes comments on quoted and paraphrased passages from a single article or book. Cross-references facilitate the assimilation of lessons from the text. Students, researchers, and scholars in biology, biomedicine, philosophy, and ethics as applied to the life sciences will find this guide useful in improving their research and writing skills.

Table of Contents:

Introduction
Methodology as Practical Philosophy
Introduction
Concepts, Statements, and Arguments
Hyptheses, Theories, and Explanations
Facts and Values
Putting Science in Context
Introduction
A Survey of Guidelines
Application: Texts with Comments
Introduction
Altruism and Egoism
Genes, Behavior, and Psychopathology
Medication
Stress
Genetic Engineering
Miscellaneous Subjects
A Tale of Non-Steroid Anti-Inflammatory Drugs
Introduction
Biased Promotion of Drugs: The Case of NSAIDS by Wim J. van der Steen
Response 1: Private Drug Research by Harry Cook
Response 2: Diet Therapy as a Viable Alternative for NSAIDS by Dorine Bax
Response 3: NSAIDS in the Netherlands: The View of a General Practitioner by Arjen Groen
Appendix to Part IV: Improving Style
Postlude
Bibliography
Index

About the Author: WIM J. van der STEEN is Professor of Philosophy of Biology at the Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam. He has published extensively, including nine earlier books, among them Evolution as Natural History: A Philosophical Analysis (Praeger, 2000).

VINCENT K. Y. HO is with the Faculty of Biology, Vrije Universiteit.

LCC Class: 808


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