Few people would question the status of physics as a mature science. Physicists possess a highly developed and successful arsenal of techniques and instruments that serves them well in their quest for ever more encompassing conceptualizations. In contrast to physics and the physical sciences, the life sciences and medicine in particular have traditionally lacked precision in both measurement and concept. Until the Second World War the biological disciplines seemed condemned to a datarich and theory‐poor existence. The lack of deep insight was hardly compensated for by the philo‐sophical debates and doctrinaire battles fought under the banners of vitalism and reductionism.
Topics
Physicists
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© 1966 American Institute of Physics.
1966
American Institute of Physics
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