Abstract

ALASSIA, Fiorela  and  CORDOBA REVAH, Mariana. Manipulability: A Philosophical Comprehension of the History of Biochemical Receptors. Eidos [online]. 2022, n.37, pp.13-43.  Epub June 09, 2022. ISSN 1692-8857.  https://doi.org/10.14482/eidos.37.572.

The postulation of the existence of biochemical receptors provides a satisfactory explanation for many biological processes at the cellular level, such as the mechanisms of action of most drugs with specific action. However, the concept of receptor was long considered as lacking an objective referent, and even into the second half of the 20th century, there was still skepticism about its existence. By means of the philosophical debate between scientific realists and anti-realists, we will investigate whether the question of realism can shed light on the history of the concept of biochemical receptor. We will evaluate which particular positions within the debate allow us to understand both the evolution of the concept of receptor and the scientific practice on receptors. We will argue that the case of receptors can be elucidated by accepting a scientific realism of entities, which considers manipulability as a criterion of existence -following Ian Hacking-. Our work will be guided by a strictly philosophical query: Do biochemical receptors exist?

Keywords : Philosophy of biochemistry; biochemical receptors; scientific realism; manipulability; Ian Hacking.

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