Teleology and the Norms of Nature

by William J. FitzPatrick

Overview

This work is an examination of teleological attributions i.e. ascriptions of proper functions and natural ends) to the features and behavior of living things with a view to understanding their application to human life.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780415515672
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	12/12/2011
Series:	Studies in Philosophy
Pages:	402
Product dimensions:	5.44(w) x 8.50(h) x (d)

About the Author

William J. FitzPatrick is Assistant Professor of Philosophy at Virginia Tech.

Table of Contents

Preface; Chapter 1: Introduction; Chapter 2: Functional Systems: Artificial and Organic; Chapter 3: Natural Selection; Genes and Organismic Welfare; Chapter 4: An Account of Biological Teleology; Chapter 5: Development and Applications of the Account; Chapter 6: Welfare and Natural Teleology; Chapter 7: Contrasts with Dawkins and with Standard Etiological Accounts; Chapter 8: An Account of Functional Teleological Explanation: Historical Sensitivity Without Reduction; Chapter 9: Biological Teleology in Human Life; Chapter 10:Human Nature and Morality; Bibliography; Index.