Cooper, Andrew (2018) Two directions for teleology : naturalism and idealism. Synthese, 195 (7). pp. 3097-3119. doi:10.1007/s11229-017-1364-5 ISSN 0039-7857.

Research output not available from this repository.

Request-a-Copy directly from author or use local Library Get it For Me service.

Request Changes to record.

Abstract

Philosophers of biology claim that function talk is consistent with naturalism. Yet recent work in biology places new pressure on this claim. An increasing number of biologists propose that the existence of functions depends on the organisation of systems. While systems are part of the domain studied by physics, they are capable of interacting with this domain through organising principles. This is to say that a full account of biological function requires teleology. Does naturalism preclude reference to teleological causes? Or are organised systems precisely a naturalised form of teleology? In this paper I suggest that the biology of organised systems reveals several contradictions in the main philosophical conceptions of naturalism. To integrate organised systems with naturalism’s basic assumptions—that there is no theory-independent view for metaphysics, and that nature is intelligible—I propose an idealist solution.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Divisions:	Faculty of Social Sciences > Philosophy
Journal or Publication Title:	Synthese
Publisher:	Springer
ISSN:	0039-7857
Official Date:	9 March 2018
Dates:	Date Event 9 March 2018 Available 1 March 2017 Accepted
Volume:	195
Number:	7
Page Range:	pp. 3097-3119
DOI:	10.1007/s11229-017-1364-5
Status:	Peer Reviewed
Publication Status:	Published
Access rights to Published version:	Restricted or Subscription Access

Request changes or add full text files to a record

Repository staff actions (login required)

View Item