Naslov
Neo-Functional Analysis: Phylogenetical Restrictions on Causal Role Functions

Autori
Šustar, Predrag

Izvornik
Philosophy of science (0031-8248) 74 (2007), 5; 601-615

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Radovi u časopisima, članak, znanstveni

Ključne riječi
function-analytical explanation ; phylogenetical restrictions ; protein synthesis

Sažetak
The most recent resurgence of philosophical attention to the so‐called ‘functional talk’ in the sciences can be summarized in terms of the following questions: (Q1) What kind of restrictions, and in particular, what kind of evolutionary restrictions as well as to what extent, is involved in functional ascriptions? (Q2) How can we account for the explanatory import of function‐ascribing statements? This paper addresses these questions through a modified version of Cummins’ functional analysis. The modification in question is concerned with phylogenetical restrictions on causal role functions, and it stems from an analysis of some primary areas in molecular biology. I examine how evolutionary consideration affects the so‐called ‘function‐ analytical explanatory strategy’ (Cummins [1975] 1998, 2002). Finally, I argue that the neo‐functional analysis here proposed accounts for a certain convergence between the main rival theories of biological function.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Filozofija

POVEZANOST RADA