On the Nature of Cross-Disciplinary Integration: A Philosophical Framework
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
4-2016
DOI
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.shpsc.2015.10.003
Abstract
Meeting grand challenges requires responses that constructively combine multiple forms of expertise, both academic and non-academic; that is, it requires cross-disciplinary integration. But just what is cross-disciplinary integration? In this paper, we supply a preliminary answer by reviewing prominent accounts of cross-disciplinary integration from two literatures that are rarely brought together: cross-disciplinarity and philosophy of biology. Reflecting on similarities and differences in these accounts, we develop a framework that integrates their insights—integration as a generic combination process the details of which are determined by the specific contexts in which particular integrations occur. One such context is cross-disciplinary research, which yields cross-disciplinary integration. We close by reflecting on the potential applicability of this framework to research efforts aimed at meeting grand challenges.
Publication Information
O'Rourke, Michael; Crowley, Stephen; and Gonnerman, Chad. (2016). "On the Nature of Cross-Disciplinary Integration: A Philosophical Framework". Studies in History and Philosophy of Science Part C: Studies in History and Philosophy of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, 56, 62-70. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.shpsc.2015.10.003