Ratti, Emanuele and Germain, Pierre-Luc (2021) A Relic of Design: Against Proper Functions in Biology. [Preprint]

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Abstract

The notion of biological function is fraught with difficulties - intrinsically and irremediably so, we argue. The physiological practice of functional ascription originates from a time when organisms were thought to be designed and remained largely unchanged since. In a secularized worldview, this creates a paradox which
accounts of functions as selected effect attempt to resolve. This attempt, we argue, misses its target in physiology and it brings problems of its own. Instead, we propose that a better solution to the conundrum of biological functions is to abandon the notion altogether, a prospect not only less daunting than it appears, but arguably the natural continuation of the naturalisation of biology.

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Item Type:	Preprint
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID Ratti, Emanuele mnl.ratti@gmail.com 0000-0003-1409-8240 Germain, Pierre-Luc
Keywords:	biological function; selected effect; evolutionary biology; physiology;
Subjects:	Specific Sciences > Biology > Evolutionary Theory Specific Sciences > Biology > Function/Teleology Specific Sciences > Biology > Molecular Biology/Genetics
Depositing User:	Dr Emanuele Ratti
Date Deposited:	29 Apr 2021 15:19
Last Modified:	20 May 2021 12:16
Item ID:	18969
Subjects:	Specific Sciences > Biology > Evolutionary Theory Specific Sciences > Biology > Function/Teleology Specific Sciences > Biology > Molecular Biology/Genetics
Date:	2021
URI:	https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/18969

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• A Relic of Design: Against Proper Functions in Biology. (deposited 29 Apr 2021 15:19) [Currently Displayed]
  • A Relic of Design: Against Proper Functions in Biology. (deposited 27 Jun 2022 18:09)

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