Understanding the Three Scientific Cultures in Biosphere Science
In the realm of biosphere science, researchers have identified three distinct scientific cultures that have been operating independently from one another. These cultures, as explained by SFI Professors Christopher Kempes and Geoffrey West, along with External Professor Brian Enquist, play a crucial role in shaping how scientific research is conducted within the field. By understanding and reconnecting these cultures, it is believed that biosphere science can be accelerated to address the pressing challenges of the 21st century.
The first culture identified is the “variance” culture, which involves naming and observing the details of biology. This culture is exemplified by activities like bird counts and collecting specimens in nature. The second culture, known as “exactitude,” focuses on creating models that incorporate vast amounts of data and intricate details. According to Kempes, proponents of exactitude culture view the best model as one that mimics the complexity of the real world at a microscopic level. The third culture, termed “coarse-grained,” emphasizes generalities, simplifications, and underlying principles in order to grasp the bigger picture of biological systems.
Challenges in Biosphere Science Due to Disconnected Cultures
Despite the importance of all three scientific cultures, they currently exist in relative isolation within the biosciences. This disconnectedness poses challenges to the development of a predictive science of the biosphere. Critics argue that the lag in progress could be attributed to factors such as insufficient data, limited experimentation, or the inherent complexity of the biosphere. However, Enquist suggests that a significant part of this delay stems from the unresolved tension between the variance, exactitude, and coarse-grained cultures.
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Integrating these scientific cultures is crucial for advancing biosphere science. By merging the perspectives and methodologies of all three cultures, researchers can create a more comprehensive and predictive understanding of the biosphere. This integrative approach enables scientists to address complex problems more effectively and refine their assumptions and predictions through continuous iteration.
The Importance of Integration for Progress in Biosphere Science
The authors of the Perspective published in PNAS highlight the significance of integrating scientific cultures to propel biosphere science forward. Drawing parallels to the theory of evolution, they emphasize how the integration of different scientific perspectives has historically led to significant advancements in scientific understanding. For instance, the Modern Evolutionary Synthesis combined ideas from variance, exactitude, and coarse-grained cultures to develop a comprehensive theory of evolution that has since been refined and expanded.
Integration of scientific cultures not only enhances the predictive capabilities of biosphere science but also fosters innovation and facilitates the development of solutions to pressing environmental challenges. By encouraging collaboration among researchers from diverse scientific backgrounds, the field of biosphere science can unlock new insights and accelerate progress towards sustainable practices.
Promoting Integration and Collaboration in Biosphere Science
To promote integration among the scientific cultures in biosphere science, the authors recommend several key strategies. They suggest that the biosphere science community engage more with historians of science, increase outreach efforts, organize workshops, incorporate transculturalism in undergraduate courses, offer awards, and allocate funding to support interdisciplinary research initiatives. Furthermore, scientific journals are encouraged to publish papers that transcend disciplinary boundaries and showcase the integration of diverse scientific cultures.
Breaking down academic and intellectual barriers within biosphere science is essential for fostering rapid and revolutionary scientific progress. By encouraging researchers to take an interest in different scientific cultures and promoting interdisciplinary collaboration, the field can overcome existing challenges and work towards a more holistic understanding of the biosphere. Ultimately, the integration of scientific cultures holds the key to addressing the complex environmental issues facing our planet and ensuring the sustainability of our socio-economic systems.
Links to additional Resources:
1. www.nature.com/articles/d41586-022-04004-4 2. www.science.org/content/article/reconnect-three-scientific-cultures-accelerate-biosphere-science 3. www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2205841119.Related Wikipedia Articles
Topics: Scientific culture, Biosphere science, Evolutionary synthesisCulture
Culture ( KUL-chər) is a concept that encompasses the social behavior, institutions, and norms found in human societies, as well as the knowledge, beliefs, arts, laws, customs, capabilities, and habits of the individuals in these groups. Culture is often originated from or attributed to a specific region or location. Humans...
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Biosphere 2
Biosphere 2 is an American Earth system science research facility located in Oracle, Arizona. Its mission is to serve as a center for research, outreach, teaching, and lifelong learning about Earth, its living systems, and its place in the universe. It is a 3.14-acre (1.27-hectare) structure originally built to be...
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Extended evolutionary synthesis
The Extended Evolutionary Synthesis (EES) consists of a set of theoretical concepts argued to be more comprehensive than the earlier modern synthesis of evolutionary biology that took place between 1918 and 1942. The extended evolutionary synthesis was called for in the 1950s by C. H. Waddington, argued for on the...
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