Griffiths, Paul E (2006) Function, Homology and Character Individuation. [Preprint]

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Abstract

I defend the view that many biological categories are defined by homology against a series of arguments designed to show that all biological categories are defined, at least in part, by selection function. I show that categories of homology are 'abnormality inclusive' – something often alleged to be unique to selected function categories. I show that classifications by selected function are logically dependent on classifications by homology, but not vice-versa. Finally, I reject the view that biologists must use considerations of selected function to abstract away from variation and pathology to form a canonical description of a class of biological systems.

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Item Type:	Preprint
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID Griffiths, Paul E
Additional Information:	This is a substantially revised version in response to referee's comments.
Keywords:	proper function etiological theory homology natural kinds
Subjects:	Specific Sciences > Biology > Systematics Specific Sciences > Biology Specific Sciences > Biology > Developmental Biology Specific Sciences > Biology > Function/Teleology
Depositing User:	Professor Paul Edmund Griffiths
Date Deposited:	16 Mar 2006
Last Modified:	07 Oct 2010 15:13
Item ID:	2672
Subjects:	Specific Sciences > Biology > Systematics Specific Sciences > Biology Specific Sciences > Biology > Developmental Biology Specific Sciences > Biology > Function/Teleology
Date:	March 2006
URI:	https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/2672

Available Versions of this Item

• Function, Homology and Character Individuation. (deposited 03 Jul 2005)
  • Function, Homology and Character Individuation. (deposited 16 Mar 2006) [Currently Displayed]
  • Function, Homology and Character Individuation. (deposited 30 Aug 2005)

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