Explaining Cancer: Finding Order in Disorder

Explaining Cancer by Anya Plutynski addresses philosophical questions about cancer science and medicine, such as how scientists classify cancer, how they identify and classify early-stage cancers, and how genes play a role in mechanisms for cancer. It also explores the most important environmental causes of cancer and how epidemiologists investigate these causes.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 280 pages
Publication date: 04 July 2022
Publisher: Oxford University Press Inc

Explaining Cancer is a comprehensive exploration of philosophical inquiries that arise within the realm of cancer science and medicine. Author Anya Plutynski delves into a range of thought-provoking questions, beginning with the fundamental query: How do scientists classify cancer? Do these classifications align with the natural joints of nature?

Plutynski then proceeds to examine how cancer scientists identify and classify early-stage cancers. She explores the concept of cancer as a genetic disease and the role that genes play in the mechanisms of cancer development. Additionally, she investigates the most significant environmental causes of cancer and the methods employed by epidemiologists to investigate these factors.

The book employs these questions as a gateway into a broader family of philosophical debates. Through the use of case studies of scientific practice, Explaining Cancer offers a fresh perspective on philosophical discussions surrounding natural classification in science and medicine, the delineation between disease and health, mechanistic reasoning in science, pragmatics and evidence, the roles of models and modeling in science, and the essence of scientific explanation.

By engaging with these profound inquiries, Explaining Cancer provides readers with a deeper understanding of the complexities surrounding cancer and its impact on society. It sheds light on the philosophical foundations that shape our understanding of this disease and encourages critical thinking about the ethical and societal implications of cancer research and treatment.

Weight: 404g
Dimension: 235 x 154 x 15 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780197642504