UNIFICATION AND COHERENCE AS METHODOLOGICAL OBJECTIVES IN THE BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES

In this paper I respond to Wim van der Steen's arguments against the supposed current overemphasis on norms of coherence and interdisciplinary integration in biology. On the normative level, I argue that these are middle-range norms which, although they may be misapplied in short-term attempts to solve (temporarily?) intractable problems, play a guiding role in the longer-term treatment of biological problems. This stance is supported by a case study of a partial success story, the development of the one gene - one enzyme hypothesis. As that case shows, the goal of coherent interdisciplinary integration not only provides guidance for research, but also provides the standard for recognizing failed integrations of the sort that van der Steen criticizes.