Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

The function debate in philosophy.

Arno Wouters1

  • 1Institute of Biology, Leiden University, P.O. Box 9516, NL-2300, RA, Leiden, The Netherlands. arno.wouters@rulsfb.leidenuniv.nl

Acta Biotheoretica
|July 29, 2005
PubMed
Summary

This review examines philosophical debates on biological function, arguing current discussions are overly influenced by philosophy of mind. It suggests focusing on actual biological practices, not just intuitions, to better understand biological inquiry.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

The BCN Challenge to Compatibilist Free Will and Personal Responsibility.

Neuroethics·2010
Same author

The real challenge to free will and responsibility.

Trends in cognitive sciences·2007
See all related articles

Area of Science:

  • Philosophy of Science
  • Biology
  • Philosophy of Mind

Background:

  • The concept of biological function is central to biological explanations.
  • Philosophical discussions on function have been dominated by naturalistic approaches.
  • Existing theories often rely heavily on intuitions about function.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the philosophical debate on biological function and functional explanation.
  • To identify the limitations of current philosophical approaches to biological function.
  • To propose a new direction for understanding biological function.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of philosophical arguments on biological function.
  • Analysis of the influence of philosophy of mind on the debate.
  • Critique of intuition-based approaches versus practice-based approaches.

Main Results:

  • The debate on biological function is disproportionately shaped by philosophy of mind.
  • Intuition-based analyses may not fully capture the complexities of biological function.
  • A shift in focus is needed to better understand biological inquiry.

Conclusions:

  • Rethinking the philosophical study of biological function is necessary.
  • Understanding biological practice is crucial for advancing functional explanations.
  • Future research should prioritize the study of actual biological inquiry over abstract intuitions.

Related Experiment Videos