What is the problem of biological individuality?

Abstract

The problem of biological individuality is how life divides into living things. Proposed statements of the problem have been vague and incomplete. And proposed theories of biological individuality are not detailed enough to solve the problem even if they are correct. The root of these troubles is that their authors have not recognised the metaphysical claims presupposed in their statement of the problem. Making these claims explicit enables us to see better what the problem is and what form a solution to it would need to have.

Topics & Concepts