如何指認一個生命個體：以實作個體化為基礎的客觀多元主義

How to Identify a Biological Individual: Objective Pluralism Based on Practical Individuation

什麼是一個生命個體？如何指認它？這個生命個體性問題是近來歐美生物學哲學的熱門議題。有許多不同的理論、觀點、定義和判準被提出來，因此也形成了不同的「生命個體性」概念，如「演化個體性」與「生理個體性」。有些哲學家企圖尋求統一的架構，有些哲學家則接受多元主義。本文討論「生命個體性」現存的多元定義和判準，並論證多元主義的結論是不可避免的：我們確實無法找出一個統一或整合的架構來覆蓋整個複雜多樣的生命世界。可是，本文不支持實用主義或相對主義，反而論證我們可以在實作個體化的基礎上來建立客觀的多元主義。

"What is a biological individual and how do we identify such? The problem of biological individuality recently became a hot issue in the philosophy of biology in Europe and North America. Philosophers of biology propose many theories, views, definitions, or criteria for“bio-logical individuality,”and these views or criteria imply different con-ceptions such as“evolutionary individuality”and“physiological indi-viduality.”To resolve the predicament, some philosophers attempt to erect a unified framework, while others accept pluralism. This paper discusses current plural criteria and conceptions and argues for the in-evitability of pluralism. However, instead of falling into relativism or adopting pragmatism, the paper argues that we can justify an objective pluralism on the basis of practical individuation."