title: Nomadic concepts in the history of biology.
abstract: The history of scientific concepts has firmly settled among the instruments of historical inquiry. In our section we approach concepts from the perspective of nomadic concepts (Isabelle Stengers). Instead of following the evolution of concepts within one disciplinary network, we see them as subject to constant reification and change while crossing and turning across disciplines and non-scientific domains. This introduction argues that understanding modern biology is not possible without taking into account the constant transfers and translations that affected concepts. We argue that this approach does not only engage with nomadism between disciplines and non-scientific domains, but reflects on and involves the metaphoric value of concepts as well.
authors.affiliation: Leibniz Graduate School "History, Knowledge, Media in East Central Europe", Herder Institute for Historical Research on East Central Europe - Institute of the Leibniz Association, Gisonenweg 5-7, 35037 Marburg, Germany. Electronic address: jan.surman@herder-institut.de.
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Surman
authors.affiliation: Leibniz-Institut for European History, Alte Universitätsstraße 19, 55116 Mainz, Germany; Pasts, Inc. Center for Historical Studies, Central European University, 1051 Budapest Nádor u. 9, Hungary.
authors.forename: Katalin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Stráner
authors.affiliation: Herder Institute for Historical Research on East Central Europe - Institute of the Leibniz Association, Gisonenweg 5-7, 35037 Marburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Haslinger
mesh_terms: D001695:Biology / Q000266:history*; D003210:Concept Formation; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D049674:History, 21st Century; D006801:Humans; D019365:Metaphor; D012586:Science / Q000266:history*
keywords: Conceptual history of biology; Isabelle Stengers; Metaphors in biology; Nomadic concepts