The organism as reality or as fiction: Buffon and beyond

In this essay we reflect on arguments for the reality of organisms (or in contrast their status as constructs, whether heuristic or otherwise scientifically useful constructs), in relation to the specific case of Buffon. Debates on the status of the organism have typically focused on either its 'reality' or its 'individuality'. We examine implications for both these aspects, of Buffon's position according to which organic organization is ubiquitous in nature, and comes in degrees and forms, in contrast to other positions including Leibniz's and Kant's.

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