The Immune Self: Theory or Metaphor?

Description

The Immune Self is a critical study of immunology from its origins at the end of the nineteenth century to its contemporary formulation. The book offers the first extended philosophical critique of immunology, in which the function of the term "self" that underlies the structure of current immune theory is analyzed. However, this analysis is carefully integrated into a broad survey of the major scientific developments in immunology, a discussion of their historical context, and a review of the conceptual arguments that have molded this sophisticated modern science.

"This is a strong and interesting argument, elegantly developed in the phenomenological idea of the biological subject as an evolving entity in dialectical relationship with its environment. ...a starting point for important extended discussion to come." Canadian Philosophical Reviews "The scholarship is excellent, the erudition impressive...Tauber is not only an erudite scholar. He is also a physician who has worked many years in the clinic and laboratory...it should be required reading for all graduate and postdoctoral students in immunology...will prove influential among philosophers and historians." Robert S. Schwartz, The New England Journal of Medicine "Tauber's scholarship...is unparalleled...The Immune self shows that the science of immunology has reached a level of maturity where it can now contribute to the discussion of who we are. In writing it, Alfred Tauber has in turn made a valuable contribution to immunology." Ephraim Fuchs, Kaleidoscope "Tauber challenges readers to reevaluate the concept of self in an interdisciplinary context." G.L. Kreider, Choice "The Immune Self provides an excellent analysis of immunologie thought." Canadian Journal of Allergy & Clinical Immunology "Alfred I. Tauber, a philosopher of science and an immunologist, has written a major book persuasive enough to make it impossible to separate his activities as a scientist from the philosophical construction of his field." Sander L. Gilman, American Historical Review