Teleological Notions in Biology (2)

This week we are discussing Teleological Notions in Biology.

Our reading for this week is: Wright (1973) Functions

"Larry Wright’s 1973 paper “Functions” is a landmark in philosophy of biology and teleology, proposing a naturalistic analysis of function that remains influential. Wright argues that to say something has a function is to offer an explanation of its presence: namely, it is there because it does what it does. This etiological account avoids reliance on mentalistic notions like purpose or design, thereby unifying the concept of function across biological and artificial contexts. He rejects earlier accounts based on usefulness or systemic contribution for failing to distinguish between genuine functions and mere effects or accidents. A chair may support someone’s weight, but that’s its function only if it was made for that role; a belt buckle may stop a bullet, but that is not its function unless it exists because of that capacity. Wright’s analysis shows how functional explanations can be both explanatory and teleological without invoking conscious intention. This makes the paper indispensable for anyone grappling with the foundations of biology, the philosophy of mind, or the logic of explanation. It remains worth reading because it clarifies a pervasive yet poorly understood concept with rare precision, offering a framework that resists both theological teleology and mechanistic reductionism." --ChatGPT

You'll find a copy in this dropbox folder.

For background you may prefer to just read some of the Stanford Encyclopedia article on the topic here: https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/teleology-biology/

If it's your first time, don't feel obligated to read anything in advance, but bring your iPad or tablet, if you have one. All are welcome, if philosophically inclined. Try to arrive early. We start the discussion at 12:15pm, exactly. Here's a little something about skepticism and something more on other philosophical topics. We are closer to Hawthorne than to Kuhn.

If the meeting is full, join the waitlist and check again on Sunday morning. You may find a spot has opened up. Also, see what meetings are coming up in the weeks ahead.