Abstract

ORTEGA LOZANO, Ramón. The Body as a Whole and Not as a Sum of Parts: Walter B. Cannon's Holistic Proposal. Crítica (Méx., D.F.) [online]. 2022, vol.54, n.162, pp.29-55.  Epub May 05, 2023. ISSN 0011-1503.  https://doi.org/10.22201/iifs.18704905e.2022.1382.

This article analyzes the philosophical concepts behind Walter B. Cannon's physiology. This physiologist had a teleological conception of the organism. To understand better the nature of the organic functions, he found very useful to question the purpose of the physiological processes. His Emergency Theory and the homeostasis concept are the results of this approach. Cannon explained many examples to illustrate teleological processes in the human body, but he found some mechanisms that seem to lack a purpose or work against the body's health and survival. Throughout this article, Cannon's holistic and teleological conception and his theoretical contributions to the world of physiology will be explained.

Keywords : holistic physiology; teleology; homeostasis; Cannon's Emergency Theory; teleonomy.

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