Explanation and Teleology in Aristotle's Science of Nature

This book examines Aristotle's use of the theory of natural teleology in producing explanations of natural phenomena.

Mariska Leunissen (Author)

9780521197748, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 26 August 2010

266 pages, 1 b/w illus. 6 tables
22.9 x 15.2 x 1.6 cm, 0.57 kg

"... this book provides an important contribution to the studies of Aristotle's science of nature and present a set of ideas in a very clear manner. This will be the point book for all research on the teleology in Aristotle's science of nature."
--Andrea Falcon, University of Concordia, Montreal, Phoenix

In Aristotle's teleological view of the world, natural things come to be and are present for the sake of some function or end (for example, wings are present in birds for the sake of flying). Whereas much of recent scholarship has focused on uncovering the (meta-)physical underpinnings of Aristotle's teleology and its contrasts with his notions of chance and necessity, this book examines Aristotle's use of the theory of natural teleology in producing explanations of natural phenomena. Close analyses of Aristotle's natural treatises and his Posterior Analytics show what methods are used for the discovery of functions or ends that figure in teleological explanations, how these explanations are structured, and how well they work in making sense of phenomena. The book will be valuable for all who are interested in Aristotle's natural science, his philosophy of science, and his biology.

Acknowledgements
List of tables and figures
Abbreviations
Introduction
1. Aristotle's defense of natural teleology: setting the stage for teleological explanations in the Physica
2. Aristotle's bio-functional account of the soul: establishing the starting points of teleological explanation in the De Anima
3. Introducing biology as a demonstrative science: the theory of teleological explanation in the De Partibus Animalium I
4. Explaining parts of animals: the practice of teleological explanation in the De Partibus Animalium II-IV
5. Making sense of the heavens: the limits of teleological explanation in the De Caelo
6. Aristotle's model of science: formalizing teleological explanations in the Analytica Posteriora
7. Conclusion
Bibliography
Index of texts
Index of names and subjects.

Subject Areas: Philosophy of science [PDA], Western philosophy: Ancient, to c 500 [HPCA]