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, 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]