Synthetic life and living technology : A philosophical reflection on transcending dichotomies with synthetic biology
2025
Rijssenbeek, Julia
This thesis explores synthetic biology, a rapidly evolving field at the intersection of biology, engineering, and computer science. Going beyond traditional forms of technological intervention in life forms, it introduces unprecedented systematic and radical forms of manipulation and even (re)creation of life forms. As such, it redefines fundamental distinctions between life and technology, natural and artificial. This thesis asks, first, how can we conceptualize the novel entities emerging from synthetic biology and how do they illuminate fundamental concepts such as life, nature, and technology? And second, what alternative ontological and ethical approaches can help us overcome the limitations of current frameworks for addressing these phenomena? This thesis provides both a critical reflection on synthetic biology's assumptions about these concepts and suggests alternatives to problematic views based on relational and processual ontologies, as well as showing how the field advances philosophical thinking. It proposes collaboration between scientists and philosophers from the outset of scientific research in order to ethically navigate this disruptive field.
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