I first encountered the word ‘metabiology’ in J.O. Wisdom’s review* of J.H. Woodger’s book ‘Biology and Language: An Introduction to the Methodology of the Biological Sciences including Medicine’ (Cambridge University Press, 1952).
It was as a result of an online search. The story of how metaphysics got its name is well known. As organised by his editor, Andronicus of Rhodes, Aristotle’s treatises on (what we now call) metaphysics were placed after those on physics. The prefix, ‘meta’ means ‘beyond,’ ‘after,’ ‘along with,’ or ‘beside.’
I wondered whether the prefix ‘meta’ had been used with ‘biology’; I wondered too what those topics ‘beyond,’ ‘after,’ ‘along with,’ or ‘beside’ might be.
I have found that ‘metabiology’ is a term used to describe an interdisciplinary field that combines biology with concepts from other scientific disciplines. These include computer science, physics, and mathematics in studying complex biological systems. Here, the focus is on the fundamental principles that underpin biological processes. As such, its focus ranges from the molecular level to ecosystems.
That approach opens up a range of new questions. These are practical questions. They are in keeping with the current biological style. However, I had hoped to find metabiology addressing questions of a more philosophical nature. I still think (hope) that the word 'metabiology' can be used to encompass this kind of thinking. After all, it is something ‘beyond,’ ‘after,’ ‘along with,’ or ‘beside.’
* In: The British Journal for the Philosophy of Science, 4 (16): 339-344.
