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Teleology, function, design and the evolution of animal behaviour
1Marc Bekoff is at the Dept of Environmental, Population and Organismic Biology, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309-0334, USA.
Trends in Ecology & Evolution
|January 18, 2011
Summary
This study differentiates three naturalistic concepts of function in evolutionary biology: current utility, historical function, and capacities. Historical function is central to evolutionary theory, with design viewed as its extension, particularly for studying behavior.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary Biology
- Philosophy of Biology
Background:
- Teleological language (function, design, adaptation) in evolutionary biology raises concerns.
- Naturalistic accounts of these concepts are increasingly popular in contemporary theory.
- Distinguishing between different types of function is crucial for clarity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To differentiate three naturalistic analyses of function: current utility, historical function, and functions as capacities.
- To clarify the relationship between function and design in evolutionary contexts.
- To assess the utility of these distinctions for behavioral studies.
Main Methods:
- Conceptual analysis of teleological terms within evolutionary biology and philosophy of biology.
- Review of recent developments in evolutionary theory and functional analysis.
- Examination of the role of historical function and design in understanding biological traits, especially behavior.
Main Results:
- Three distinct naturalistic concepts of function are identified: current utility, historical function, and functions as capacities.
- Historical function is identified as the most central concept for evolutionary theory.
- Design is proposed as an extension of historical function, offering utility for behavioral studies.
Conclusions:
- Differentiating naturalistic concepts of function enhances clarity in evolutionary biology.
- Historical function plays a pivotal role in evolutionary explanations.
- The distinction between function and design, particularly historical function, provides a valuable framework for analyzing behavior.
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