The Limits of the Self

Immunology and Biological Identity

Thomas Pradeu author Elizabeth Vitanza translator

Format:Hardback

Publisher:Oxford University Press

Published:22nd Mar '12

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The Limits of the Self cover

What counts as an individual in the living world? What does it mean for a living thing to remain the same through time, while constantly changing? These questions are the province of immunology, one of the most dynamic fields in biology. Immunology answers these questions with its theory of "self" and "nonself" which has dominated the field since the 1940s. Thomas Pradeu argues that this theory is inadequate, because immune responses to self constituents and immune tolerance of foreign entities are the rule, not the exception. Instead Pradeu advances an alternative theory, the continuity theory, which offers a new way to answer the question of what triggers an immune response. It also echoes the recent realization that all organisms, and not only higher vertebrates, have an immune system. Pradeu's main thesis is that the self-nonself theory should be abandoned, but that immunology still proves to be decisive for delineating the boundaries of the organism. Articulating an evolutionary and an immunological perspective, he offers an original conception of the organism. Tolerance of the fetus by the mother and of countless bacteria on the body's surfaces proves that every organism is heterogeneous, that is, made of entities of different origins. In other words, every organism appears as a chimera , a mixed living thing-the cohesiveness of which is ensured by the constant action of its immune system. The Limits of the Self , will be essential reading for anyone interested in the definition of biological individuality and the understanding of the immune system.

... anyone interested in the fantastic and bewildering world of biomolecular recognition will be richly rewarded by this book. * Uziel Awret, Metapsychology *
Thomas Pradeu has joined the small cadre of those studying the philosophical significance of immunology and assumed the task of rectifying this neglect. In a text that provides an up-to-date summary of the key features of immunological theory and places those findings into a philosophical context that has framed previous debates, he has made a noteworthy contribution to immunology's abundant theoretical literature, which enjoys a richness almost unique among the physiological sciences. * Alfred I. Tauber, Notre Dame Philosophical Reviews *
Thomas Pradeu's The Limits of the Self provides a precise account of biological identity developed from the central concepts of immunology. Yet the central concepts most relevant to this task (self and nonself) are themselves deemed inadequate, suffering from ambiguity and imprecision. Pradeu seeks to remedy this by proposing a new guiding theory for immunology, the continuity theory. From this, an account of biological identity is provided in terms of uniqueness and individuality, ultimately leading to a defense of the heterogeneous organism as expressing the highest degree of individuality. * Matthew H. Haber, Biology and Philosophy *
Pradeu offers a new perspective of evolutionary individuality with insights that challenge the current discourse. Overall, I recommend this book to philosophers of biology and science who are interested in the notion of individuality, as well as to biologists concerned with the nature of individual organisms. * Alison K. McConwell, Philosophy in Review *
A profound examination of the ways in which our current understanding of the immune system can shed light on the metaphysical questions of identity and selfhood. It is notable in its impressive grasp of a wide range of literature both on the history and the current theory of immunology, engaging with real cutting edge science and demonstrating a detailed understanding of the relevant science and scientific practices. Its accessible and original discussion makes a distinctive and important contribution to the expansion of the scope of philosophy of biology, and should be of considerable interest well beyond the philosophy of the biomedical sciences. * Selectors for the 2015 Lakatos Award by the London School of Economics and Political Science *
There are several aspects of the book that are appealing for philosophers of biology in particular. ... Pradeu has produced a hybrid book with many strengths and great coherence. * Maureen A. OMalley, British Journal for the Philosophy of Science *
Thomas Pradeu's The Limits of the Self represents a sophisticated analysis of how the self can be defined in terms of the immune system and how this strictly biological view can inform the philosophical concept...Pradeu's Continuity Theory is arguably the clearest alternative to Burnet's self/non-self model. * Richard P. Novick, Times Literary Supplement *

  • Winner of Winner of the 2015 Lakatos Award by the London School of Economics and Political Science.

ISBN: 9780199775286

Dimensions: 147mm x 211mm x 33mm

Weight: 458g

320 pages