A Non-reductionist Approach to Trust

Author(s):  
Cristiano Castelfranchi ◽  
Rino Falcone ◽  
Emiliano Lorini
Author(s):  
А.Б. Салтыков ◽  
С.В. Грачев

Редукционистский подход в медицине рассматривает живые системы в качестве закрытых (замкнутых) образований, функции которых полностью детерминированы свойствами соответствующих материальных компонентов. Каждое нарушение функции объясняется предшествующими изменениями структур, реализующих эту функцию. Из этого следует, что любая патология структурно-функциональна по своей сути, а понятие «функциональные заболевания» - принципиально ошибочно из-за искажения причинно-следственных отношений. По мере прогресса медицины ожидается открытие собственно первичных структурных маркеров «функциональных» заболеваний, что будет иметь решающее значение для их ранней диагностики и патогенетического лечения (ориентированного прежде всего, на устранение первичного звена расстройств). Вместе с тем, в медицине существует более общий холистический (функционально ориентированный) подход, формирующий иной стереотип клинического мышления. В этих рамках любая патология объясняется недостаточностью адаптивных функций организма в изменившихся условиях существования. Обычно сложный характер функциональных взаимодействий делает невозможным их описание на основе текущих характеристик материальных компонентов системы, особенно при воздействии на организм внешних патогенных факторов. Именно внешние воздействия способны инициировать первичный дефицит адаптивных механизмов с заведомо вторичными структурными изменениями, что позволяет перестать рассматривать «функциональные болезни» как принципиально ошибочное понятие. Первичный дефицит функций наиболее нагляден при информационной патологии, идеальная природа которой не сводится к соответствующим материальным носителям. Все это ставит под сомнение возможность обнаружения собственно первичных структурных маркеров некоторых заболеваний, особенно если в их основе лежит информационная патология (невроз, нервная анорексия, психическая аменорея, морская болезнь, некоторые формы фантомных болей и др.). Reductionist approach in medicine considers living systems as closed (closed) formations whose functions are completely determined by the properties of the corresponding material components. Each disturbance of the function is explained by previous changes in the structures that realize this function. From this it follows that any pathology is structurally functional in its essence, and the concept of «functional diseases» is fundamentally erroneous because of the distortion of cause-effect relationships. As medicine progresses, the actual primary structural markers of «functional» diseases are expected to be discovered, which will be crucial for their early diagnosis and pathogenetic treatment (primarily aimed at eliminating the primary link of disorders). At the same time, in medicine there is a more general holistic (functionally oriented) approach, forming a different stereotype of clinical thinking. Within this framework, any pathology is due to the lack of adaptive functions of the organism in the changed conditions of existence. Usually the complex nature of functional interactions makes it impossible to describe them on the basis of the current characteristics of the material components of the system, especially when external pathogenic factors influence the organism. It is external actions that can initiate a primary deficit of adaptive mechanisms with known secondary structural changes, which allows us to stop treating «functional diseases» as a fundamentally wrong concept. The primary deficit of functions is most evident in information pathology, the ideal nature of which is not reduced to the corresponding material carriers. All this calls into question the possibility of detecting the primary structural markers of certain diseases, especially if they are based on information pathology (neurosis, anorexia nervosa, mental amenorrhea, seasickness, some forms of phantom pains, etc.).


Systems ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 38
Author(s):  
Raquel Balanay ◽  
Anthony Halog

This systematic review examines the importance of a systems/holistic approach in analyzing and addressing the footprints/impacts of business-as-usual activities regarding the development of a circular economy (CE). Recent works on why current CE approaches have to be examined in terms of reductionist vs. systems perspectives are reviewed to tackle questions pertaining to the right or the wrong way of CE implementation. ‘Doing the right thing right’ is essential for sustainability—the ultimate goal of a CE, which must be viewed as a system to begin with. The limited reductionist approach overlooks and thus cannot prognosticate on the formidable unintended consequences that emerge from ‘doing the right things wrong’, consequences that become too costly to undo. The systems approach, being holistic, is complicated and difficult to pursue but open to exciting opportunities to integrate innovations in CE analysis and implementation. Complexity is an inherent downside of the systems approach. However, both approaches are complementary, as reductionist models can be combined to create a system of comprehensive analysis to correct the approach towards implementation of current CE initiatives. This review reports that advancements in systems analytical frameworks and tools are highly important for creating general guidelines on CE analysis and implementation.


1991 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 207-226 ◽  
Author(s):  
Phyllis C. Lee

Of the diverse approaches to understanding patterns and processes in human evolution, a focus on the biology of behaviour using principles derived from the non-human primates may have some utility for archaeologists. This article seeks to outline some biologically-based areas that could prove fruitful in exploring the origins of human behaviour within the archaeological record. It attempts to initiate a dialogue between biologists, even with their limited understanding of the problems facing those working with human origins, and archaeologists, in the hope that this dialogue will move beyond a simple reductionist approach towards the goal of integrating behaviour into a more sophisticated biological perspective.


Science ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 308 (5723) ◽  
pp. 753d-753d

2014 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gys M. Loubser

In this article, I discuss studies in complexity and its epistemological implications for systematic and practical theology. I argue that engagement with complexity does not necessarily assurea non-reductionist approach. However, if complexity is engaged transversally, it becomes possible to transcend reductionist approaches. Moreover, systematic and practical the ologians can draw on complexity in developing new ways of understanding and, therefore, new ways of describing the focus, epistemic scope and heuristic structures of systematic and practical theology. Firstly, Edgar Morin draws a distinction between restricted and general complexity based on the epistemology drawn upon in studies in complexity. Moving away from foundationalist approaches to epistemology, Morin argues for a paradigm of systems. Secondly,I discuss Kees van Kooten Niekerk�s distinction between epistemology, methodology andontology in studies in complexity and offer an example of a theological argument that drawson complexity. Thirdly, I argue for the importance of transversality in engaging complexity by drawing on the work of Wentzel van Huyssteen and Paul Cilliers. In conclusion, I argue that theologians have to be conscious of the epistemic foundations of each study in complexity, and these studies illuminate the heart of Reformed theology.Intradisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary implications: Therefore, this article has both intradisciplinary and interdisciplinary implications. When theologians engage studies incomplexity, the epistemological roots of these studies need to be considered seeing thatresearchers in complexity draw on different epistemologies. Drawing on transversality wouldenhance such considerations. Furthermore, Edgar Morin�s and Paul Cilliers� approach tocomplexity will inform practical and theoretical considerations in church polity and unity.


F1000Research ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
pp. 299
Author(s):  
Ivan Spasojević

To truly understand living systems they must be viewed as a whole. In order to achieve this and to come to some law that living systems comply with, the reductionist approach, which has delivered a tremendous amount of data so far, should be complemented with integrative concepts. The current paper represents my humble attempt towards an integrative concept of homeostasis that would describe the (patho)physiological setup of adult human/mammal system, and that might be applicable in medicine. Homeostasis can be defined as time- and initial-condition-independent globally stabile state of non-equilibrium of a living system in which the interactions of system with the surroundings and internal processes are overall in balance or very near it. The presence of homeostasis or the shift from homeostasis of an adult human/mammal system can be described by equation that takes into account energy and informational input and output, catabolism and anabolism, oxidation and reduction, and entropy, where changes in the input should equal changes in the output within a specific period of time. Catabolism and oxidation are presented on the input side since the drive of the surroundings is to decompose and oxidize living systems, i.e. systems are under constant 'catabolic and oxidative pressure'. According to the equation, homeostasis might be regained by changing any of the input or output components in a proper manner (and within certain limits), not only the one(s) that has/have been changed in the first place resulting in the deviation from homeostasis.


Acta Naturae ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 52-64
Author(s):  
Danila V. Kolesov ◽  
Elena L. Sokolinskaya ◽  
Konstantin A. Lukyanov ◽  
Alexey M. Bogdanov

In modern life sciences, the issue of a specific, exogenously directed manipulation of a cells biochemistry is a highly topical one. In the case of electrically excitable cells, the aim of the manipulation is to control the cells electrical activity, with the result being either excitation with subsequent generation of an action potential or inhibition and suppression of the excitatory currents. The techniques of electrical activity stimulation are of particular significance in tackling the most challenging basic problem: figuring out how the nervous system of higher multicellular organisms functions. At this juncture, when neuroscience is gradually abandoning the reductionist approach in favor of the direct investigation of complex neuronal systems, minimally invasive methods for brain tissue stimulation are becoming the basic element in the toolbox of those involved in the field. In this review, we describe three approaches that are based on the delivery of exogenous, genetically encoded molecules sensitive to external stimuli into the nervous tissue. These approaches include optogenetics (Part I) as well as chemogenetics and thermogenetics (Part II), which are significantly different not only in the nature of the stimuli and structure of the appropriate effector proteins, but also in the details of experimental applications. The latter circumstance is an indication that these are rather complementary than competing techniques.


2020 ◽  
Vol 17 ◽  
pp. 00119
Author(s):  
Boris Boincean ◽  
David Dent

The reductionist approach to intensification of agriculture has created unanticipated economic, ecological and social consequences. Across the steppes, elimination of perennial legumes from the crop rotation and even elimination of crop rotation, large areas under black fallow, and the demise of crop and animal husbandry are draining soil fertility – and in many places loss of the soil itself. Data from long-term field experiments demonstrate the importance of perennial legumes in crop rotation for nitrogen- and water-use efficiency, accumulation of soil organic matter in deeper soil layers, and resilience in the face of drought.


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