Functions as Selected Effects: The Conceptual Analyst's Defense Export

@article{citeulike:5887226, abstract = {In this paper I defend an etiological theory of biological functions (according to which the proper function of a trait is the effect for which it was selected by natural selection) against three objections which have been influential. I argue, contrary to Millikan, that it is wrong to base our defense of the theory on a rejection of conceptual analysis, for conceptual analysis does have an important role in philosophy of science. I also argue that biology requires a normative notion of a "proper function", and that a normative notion is not ahistorical.}, author = {Neander, Karen}, citeulike-article-id = {5887226}, citeulike-linkout-0 = {http://dx.doi.org/10.2307/187457}, citeulike-linkout-1 = {http://www.jstor.org/stable/187457}, doi = {10.2307/187457}, issn = {00318248}, journal = {Philosophy of Science}, keywords = {analysis, function}, number = {2}, pages = {168--184}, posted-at = {2009-10-04 18:16:32}, priority = {4}, publisher = {The University of Chicago Press on behalf of the Philosophy of Science Association}, title = {Functions as Selected Effects: The Conceptual Analyst's Defense}, url = {http://dx.doi.org/10.2307/187457}, volume = {58}, year = {1991} }

TY - JOUR ID - citeulike:5887226 L3 - citeulike-article-id:5887226 N2 - In this paper I defend an etiological theory of biological functions (according to which the proper function of a trait is the effect for which it was selected by natural selection) against three objections which have been influential. I argue, contrary to Millikan, that it is wrong to base our defense of the theory on a rejection of conceptual analysis, for conceptual analysis does have an important role in philosophy of science. I also argue that biology requires a normative notion of a "proper function", and that a normative notion is not ahistorical. IS - 2 JF - Philosophy of Science SN - 00318248 EP - 184 TI - Functions as Selected Effects: The Conceptual Analyst's Defense PB - The University of Chicago Press on behalf of the Philosophy of Science Association VL - 58 SP - 168 KW - analysis KW - function AU - Neander, Karen PY - 1991/// UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.2307/187457 ER -