Refiguring Life: Metaphors of Twentieth-century Biology (The Wellek Library Lectures) Book

In these three essays, feminist historian and philosopher of science Evelyn Fox Keller explores the interplay of machines and metaphors in modern scientific inquiry. She looks at the discourse of the contemporary life sciences, the "metaphors" which allow scientific work to proceed. As powerfully as the physical technology of modern science, these metaphors define the paths along which research can proceed. Keller uses the example of genetic research to demonstrate that the type of evidence scientists seek tends to be a function of previously-conceived notions which instruct them on what they should be looking for. Continuing with an exploration of the language of genetics, Keller argues that the terminology of communications technology played a significant role in the advancements of genetic research, influencing the way scientists were able to think about the subject. She explains how the metaphors and machinery of research are not merely the products of scientific discovery, but indeed map out the territory along which new metaphors and machines can be constructed.Read More