Branco Weiss Fellow Since
2025
Research Category
History and philosophy of biology, plant biology
Research Location
Department of Humanities, Social and Political Sciences, ETH Zürich, Switzerland
Background
Modern experimental biology rests on metaphysical assumptions that are rarely made explicit yet carry significant scientific and societal implications. In the 17th century, Baruch Spinoza proposed a radically original philosophy, offering a unified and dynamic conception of nature. Although biology as an academic discipline did not exist in Spinoza’s time, the field evolved rapidly in the 19th century with the emergence of foundational theories such as evolution and genetics. Reexamining Spinoza’s philosophy in light of modern biology – and, conversely, interpreting biology through Spinoza’s philosophical framework – opens new possibilities for rethinking the conceptual foundations of both disciplines.
Details of Research
This project offers a reading of Spinoza’s philosophy, making it relevant to modern biology by reconstructing central concepts, such as species, diversity, and natural laws within the framework of Spinoza’s philosophy. At the same time, it examines how Spinoza’s philosophical system can clarify foundational assumptions in contemporary plant biology. Through close analysis of scientific and philosophical texts, the project aims to develop a conceptual framework that strengthens the theoretical foundations of plant biology and informs broader scientific discourse. By uncovering the metaphysical assumptions behind biological concepts like diversity, this research also contributes to ongoing societal debates where such terms carry significant political and ethical weight.
