The Philosophy of Biophysics Paperback by edited by Margarida Hermida and James Ladyman

Product Details

• Publisher: The MIT Press (2026-11-10)
• Language: English
• Paperback: 352 pages
• ISBN-13: 9780262056274
• Item Weight: 532.98 grams
• Dimensions: 25.4 x 17.78 x 2.31 cm

A pioneering volume on the philosophy of interdisciplinary fields of biophysics, biochemistry, astrobiology, and origins of life research.

The Philosophy of Biophysics brings together contributions from leading philosophers of biology across the globe to address the conceptual, foundational, and philosophical issues raised by biophysics. The contributions shed light on how physics and biology are integrated in scientific practice and contribute to a better understanding of the relationship between biology and other sciences. With chapters authored by experts in a number of fields, the book will inform debates on interdisciplinarity, causal explanation at different scales, the question of how biology relates to the physical sciences, and the unity of science.

The book:

• interweaves philosophical analysis and scientific details
• addresses causation, mechanisms, laws, reduction, and scientific methodology
• covers various areas of biophysics
• features collaborative work by philosophers and scientists

About the Author

Margarida Hermida is a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Salzburg, and previously she held a Jacobsen fellowship for her project The Physics of Life at King’s College London. Her work has been published in Philosophy of Science, Erkenntnis, and other journals.

James Ladyman is Professor of Philosophy at the University of Bristol and Past President of the British Society for the Philosophy of Science. He is an associate editor of Studies in History and Philosophy of Science. He founded the University of Bristol’s Centre for Science and Philosophy and is patron to the trustees of the philosophy in education charity Thoughtful.