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#985 Philip Ball - How Life Works: A User’s Guide to the New Biology

The Dissenter

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Rethinking Metaphors in Biology

This chapter examines the limitations of comparing living organisms to machines and computers, advocating for richer metaphors to capture the complexities of life. It discusses how all life forms exhibit goal-directed behavior and meaningful interactions with their environments, challenging traditional evolutionary views. The discussion extends into the intricacies of genetics, arguing that genes alone cannot dictate biological outcomes without context, and emphasizes the interconnectedness of genetic expression and the broader biological system.

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