What Biological Functions Are and Why They Matter

AvJustin Garson

Inbunden, Engelska, 2019

1 245 kr

Beställningsvara. Skickas inom 7-10 vardagar. Fri frakt över 249 kr.

Fler format och utgåvor

Häftad

428 kr

Beskrivning

The biological functions debate is a perennial topic in the philosophy of science. In the first full-length account of the nature and importance of biological functions for many years, Justin Garson presents an innovative new theory, the 'generalized selected effects theory of function', which seamlessly integrates evolutionary and developmental perspectives on biological functions. He develops the implications of the theory for contemporary debates in the philosophy of mind, the philosophy of medicine and psychiatry, the philosophy of biology, and biology itself, addressing issues ranging from the nature of mental representation to our understanding of the function of the human genome. Clear, jargon-free, and engagingly written, with accessible examples and explanatory diagrams to illustrate the discussion, his book will be highly valuable for readers across philosophical and scientific disciplines.

Produktinformation

Utgivningsdatum:2019-01-10
Mått:156 x 235 x 17 mm
Vikt:470 g
Format:Inbunden
Språk:Engelska
Antal sidor:246
Förlag:Cambridge University Press
ISBN:9781108472593

Utforska kategorier

Mer om författaren

Justin Garson is Associate Professor of Philosophy at Hunter College, City University of New York. He is the author of The Biological Mind: A Philosophical Introduction (2014) and A Critical Overview of Biological Functions (2016).

Recensioner i media

'Biological functions are much discussed but little understood. Justin Garson appeals to the explanatory depth of functional explanations to develop a powerful general theory of functions. This book will serve as a reference point for future debate.' David Papineau, King's College London

Innehållsförteckning

Introduction; Part I. Background: 1. The strangeness of functions; 2. Function and selection; 3. Feedback and functions; Part II. Theory: 4. An explosion of selection processes; 5. Selection and construction; 6. A generalized selected effects theory of function; 7. Proper functions are proximal functions; 8. When functions do wrong; Part III. Applications: 9. Function pluralism; 10. What are mechanisms?; 11. What are mental disorders?; 12. A new kind of teleosemantics; A programmatic epilogue.