Hostname: page-component-77c89778f8-n9wrp Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-07-17T03:01:57.287Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

A Goal-State Theory of Function Attributions

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 January 2020

Frederick R. Adams
Frederick R. Adams*
Affiliation:
University of Wisconsin
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Extract

The analysis of function-ascribing statements, such as “the function of x is y”, is proving to be a difficult matter. It is difficult because we are only beginning to see the complexity which is involved in ascribing functions. The process of discovery has been slow and tedious, with each newly constructed analysis of the meaning of functional ascriptions yielding insights into the structure of functional analysis and functional explanation. However, as each analysis is, in turn, dismantled, we seem to see our insights slip away. In the wake of each exchange, a new member is added to the list of desiderata for an analysis of function-ascribing statements. Thus, the matter of finding a proper analysis of function attributions becomes more and more complex.

Type
Research Article
Information
Canadian Journal of Philosophy , Volume 9 , Issue 3 , September 1979 , pp. 493 - 518
Copyright
Copyright © The Authors 1979

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

[1] Achinstein, Peter. “Function Statements.” Philosophy of Science 44 (1977), pp. 341-67.10.1086/288754CrossRefGoogle Scholar
[2] Braithwaite, R.B. Scientific Explanation. Cambridge: University Press, 1955. Chap. 10.Google Scholar
[3] Canfield, J. “Teleological Explanations in Biology.” British Journal of Philosophy of Science 14 (1964).Google Scholar
[4] Cannon, W. The Wisdom of the Body. New York: Norton, 1939. Chap. 12.10.1097/00000441-193907000-00031CrossRefGoogle Scholar
[5] Cummins, Robert. “Functional Analysis.” Journal of Philosophy 72 (1975), pp. 741-65.10.2307/2024640CrossRefGoogle Scholar
[6] Hempel, Carl. “The Logic of Functional Analysis.” in Aspects of Scientific Explanation. New York: Free Press, 1965.Google Scholar
[7] Lehman, Hugh. “Functional Explanations in Biology.” Philosophy of Science 32 (1965) pp. 1–20.10.1086/288022CrossRefGoogle Scholar
[8] Nagel, Ernest. “Goal-directed Processes in Biology” and “Functional Explanation in Biology.” from Teleology Revisited: The John Dewey Lectures 1977, printed in Journal of Philosophy 74 (1977), pp. 261–301.Google Scholar
[9] Nagel, Ernest . The Structure of Science New York: Harcourt, Brace, & World, 1961. Chap. 12.10.1119/1.1937571CrossRefGoogle Scholar
[10] Ruse, Michael. “Function Statements in Biology.” Philosophy of Science 38 (1971).10.1086/288342CrossRefGoogle Scholar
[11] Stampe, Dennis. “Toward a Causal Theory of Linguistic Representation.” Midwest Studies in Philosophy 2 (1977), pp. 42–63.10.1111/j.1475-4975.1977.tb00027.xCrossRefGoogle Scholar
[12] Williams, G.C. Adaptation and Natural Selection. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1974.Google Scholar
[13] Woodfield, Andrew. Teleology. New York: Cambridge University Press, 1976.Google Scholar
[14] Wright, Larry. “Functions.” Philosophical Review 82 (1973), pp. 139–68.10.2307/2183766CrossRefGoogle Scholar