The Mechanistic Conception of Life; Biological Essays

The Mechanistic Conception of Life; Biological Essays by Jacques Loeb M.D. Ph.D. Sc.D. delves into the physico-chemical viewpoint of analyzing life. The book explores various biological essays that focus on the mechanistic conception of life including topics like the activation of the egg the nature of life and death heredity and the harmonious character of organisms. Loeb discusses how the acceleration of oxidations in the egg marks the beginning of individual life while the cessation of oxidations signifies death. He also explains the process of heredity highlighting the role of sex chromosomes in determining traits. The book delves into the concept of adaptation in organisms emphasizing that durable systems in nature are the result of blind forces rather than metaphysical principles. Furthermore Loeb explores the physico-chemical basis of animal instincts using the example of heliotropic reactions to light. He suggests that instincts and behaviors including wishes hopes and struggles have a chemical basis that can be understood through a mechanistic viewpoint. The book also touches on the ethical implications of a mechanistic view of life arguing that our instincts form the basis of ethics. Overall The Mechanistic Conception of Life offers a scientific perspective on life phenomena challenging traditional metaphysical explanations and advocating for a physico-chemical understanding of biological processes.