The Network Collective

Rise and Fall of a Scientific Paradigm

By: Klaus Eichmann

Write A Review

Hardcover | 18 September 2008

At a Glance

Hardcover
284 Pages

Dimensions(cm)
24.13 x 15.24 x 1.91

Hardcover

$249.00

or 4 interest-free payments of $62.25 with

Ships in 5 to 7 business days

The network paradigm dominated immunological research from the early 1970s to the late 1980s. The originator, Niels Jerne, hypothesized that the vast diversity of antibodies in each individual forms a network of mutual "idiotypic" recognition, thus regulating the immune system. In context of emerging concepts of systems biology such as cybernetics and autopoesis, the "Eigenbehavior" of the immune system fascinated an entire generation of young immunologists. But fascination led to experimental errors and overinterpretation, eventually magnifying the immune system from a mere infection-fighting device to a substrate of personality and individuality. As a result, what initially appeared as an exciting new perspective of the immune system is now viewed as a scientific vagary, and is largely abandoned.

The author, himself a participant in the network vagary, begins with a description of the leading theoretical concepts on fact finding in science. This is followed by a historical account of the rise and fall of the network paradigm, complemented by personal interviews with some of the prominent protagonists. By comparing the network paradigm to other, more lasting concepts in life science, the author develops a general perspective on how solid knowledge is derived from error-prone scientific methodology, namely by exposure of scientific notions to the scrutiny of reality.

Shipping

	Standard Shipping	Express Shipping
Metro postcodes:	$9.99	$14.95
Regional postcodes:	$9.99	$14.95
Rural postcodes:	$9.99	$14.95

Orders over $49.00 qualify for free shipping.

How to return your order

At Booktopia, we offer hassle-free returns in accordance with our returns policy. If you wish to return an item, please get in touch with Booktopia Customer Care.

Additional postage charges may be applicable.

Defective items

If there is a problem with any of the items received for your order then the Booktopia Customer Care team is ready to assist you.

For more info please visit our Help Centre.

You Can Find This Book In

Non-Fiction Medicine Medicine in General History of Medicine Clinical & Internal Medicine Diseases & Disorders Immunology Science Science in General Philosophy of Science Biology, Life Sciences Life Sciences in General

Acknowledgements	p. vii
Autobiographical note	p. 1
Scientific Knowledge, Delusive or Deductive
Realism, constructivism, and the naivete of the experimental scientist	p. 7
Beyond underdeterminism: Popper, Kuhn, et al.	p. 17
The anthropology of science: Ludwik Fleck et al.	p. 26
The science wars	p. 38
References and further reading, Part I	p. 43
Origins, Rise, and Fall of the Network Paradigm
The immune system, pre-network paradigms	p. 51
The necessity for an interactive theory of immunity	p. 62
Proto-ideas of the network theory: antibody self-regulation, idiotypy, the brain analogy, and cybernetics	p. 72
The idiotypic network theory	p. 82
The T cell receptor puzzle	p. 95
Suppression turned idiotypic	p. 106
Network mannerism	p. 116
Post-network immunology: Idiotypic network continues at the bedside	p. 124
Hindsight: Personal interviews	p. 133
C. Bona	p. 134
P.A. Cazenave	p. 138
A. Coutinho	p. 142
R. Germain	p. 149
H. Kohler	p. 155
W. E. Paul	p. 158
K. Rajewsky	p. 162
D. Sachs	p. 167
E. Sercarz	p. 170
J. Urbain	p. 172
H. Wigzell	p. 175
References and further reading, Part II	p. 180
Science between Fact and Fiction
The fictional nature of scientific notions	p. 207
Fiction turned fact: The case of antibodies	p. 213
The enticing network: Fiction forever	p. 225
Logic and laws in life science	p. 234
References and further reading, Part III	p. 241
Repeatedly mentioned or quoted individuals	p. 249
Index	p. 269
Table of Contents provided by Ingram. All Rights Reserved.

The Network Collective

Rise and Fall of a Scientific Paradigm

At a Glance

Hardcover

Shipping

How to return your order

Defective items

You Can Find This Book In

More in Life Sciences in General

A Bird's IQ

innovation, intelligence, and problem-solving in the avian world

In Praise of Floods

The Untamed River and the Life It Brings

Humans

The Evolution of a Species

The 21st Century Brain

Cutting edge neuroscience to help us navigate the future

The Story of Birds

An Evolutionary History of the Dinosaurs That Live Among Us

Gray's Anatomy for Students

5th Edition

Anatomy & Physiology For Dummies

For Dummies

The Winner's Formula

from the bestselling author of The Winner's Bible

Canis dingo

Understanding Australia's Apex Predator

Swainston's Fishes of Australia

The complete illustrated guide

Liars, cheats and copycats

Trickery and deception in nature

Platypus Matters

The Extraordinary Story of Australian Mammals

Is a River Alive?

The Dawn of Everything

A New History of Humanity

The Fibre Factor

A Science-backed Guide to a Healthier Gut, Stronger Heart and Sharper Brain

Your Brain on Art

How the Arts Transform Us

Can Adventure Prevent Dementia? A Guide to Outwitting Alzheimer's

Outwitting Alzheimer's

Behave

The Biology of Humans at Our Best and Worst

How To Change Your Mind

New Science of Psychedelics

Sapiens

A Graphic History: Volume 1

Gathering Moss

A Natural and Cultural History of Mosses

The Return of the God Hypothesis

Three Scientific Discoveries Revealing the Mind Behind the Universe

The Nervous System Reset

Heal Trauma, Resolve Chronic Stress and Pain, and Regulate Your Emotions with the Power of the Vagus Nerve

On the Future of Species

Authoring Life by Means of Artificial Biological Intelligence

This product is categorised by