Teleology

Andrew Woodfield's detailed survey examines the descriptions and explanations of purpose, goal, end and function.

Andrew Woodfield (Author)

9780521143752, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 20 May 2010

244 pages
21.6 x 14 x 1.4 cm, 0.32 kg

The notions of purpose, goal, end and function are used (and abused) in descriptions of a very wide range of human, animal and machine behaviour. Andrew Woodfield provides here a unified account of such teleological descriptions and explanations, their varieties, their logical structure and their proper uses. He concentrates his argument on the concepts of 'goal-directed behaviour' and 'natural function', and combines original philosophical criticism with a meticulous, detailed survey of the main competing theories in this diffuse and difficult field.

Preface
Part I. Introduction: what is teleology?
2. The method of analysis
Part II. Goal-Directed Behaviour: 3. Braithwaite's plasticity theory
4. Sommerhoff's theory of directive correlation
5. Charles Taylor's conception to teleology
6. General assessment of behaviourist theories
Part III. Functions: 7. Functions and ends
8. Ends and functional explanations
Part IV. Goals: 9. An externalist theory of goals
10. Internalist theories
11. The cybernetical approach
Part V. Conclusion: 12. Unifying theory of teleological description
Select bibliography
Index.

Subject Areas: Philosophy [HP]