Physics and biology—Where do they meet?

JAN 01, 1966

Although biological phenomena must have physical origins, impedance matching betwen the two sciences turns out to be difficult. Unlike physics, biology is not a coherent field. Moreover physical concepts and the generalities of its mathematics often do not lead anywhere in life sciences. Social problems, too, impede the physicist who would turn biologist. But the problem exists: how to use physical instruments and methods to meet the challenges of medicine and biology. It behooves us to find a way.

DOI: 10.1063/1.3047973

Walter A. Rosenblith

Few people would question the status of physics as a mature science. Physicists possess a highly developed and successful arsenal of techniques and instruments that serves them well in their quest for ever more encompassing conceptualizations. In contrast to physics and the physical sciences, the life sciences and medicine in particular have traditionally lacked precision in both measurement and concept. Until the Second World War the biological disciplines seemed condemned to a datarich and theory‐poor existence. The lack of deep insight was hardly compensated for by the philo‐sophical debates and doctrinaire battles fought under the banners of vitalism and reductionism.

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More about the authors

Walter A. Rosenblith, Massachusetts Institute of Technology.