Explanation and Teleology in Aristotle's Science of NatureIn Aristotle's teleological view of the world, natural things come to be and are present for the sake of some function or end (for example, wings are present in birds for the sake of flying). Whereas much of recent scholarship has focused on uncovering the (meta-)physical underpinnings of Aristotle's teleology and its contrasts with his notions of chance and necessity, this book examines Aristotle's use of the theory of natural teleology in producing explanations of natural phenomena. Close analyses of Aristotle's natural treatises and his Posterior Analytics show what methods are used for the discovery of functions or ends that figure in teleological explanations, how these explanations are structured, and how well they work in making sense of phenomena. The book will be valuable for all who are interested in Aristotle's natural science, his philosophy of science, and his biology. |
Contents
| 1 | |
| 10 | |
establishing | 49 |
the theory | 76 |
the practice of teleological | 112 |
the limits of teleological | 152 |
formalizing teleological | 176 |
Conclusion | 208 |
Bibliography | 221 |
| 237 | |
Other editions - View all
Explanation and Teleology in Aristotle's Science of Nature Mariska Leunissen No preview available - 2015 |
Explanation and Teleology in Aristotle's Science of Nature Mariska Leunissen No preview available - 2010 |
Common terms and phrases
Analytica Posteriora animal animal’s anthropocentric Aristotle explains Aristotle’s theory beneficial biological birds blooded animals Cael Caelo capacity causally primary chapter coming conditional necessity conditionally necessitated constitutes the final DA II.4 defined definition demonstrations differentiations discussion e²nai efficient cause Empedocles end that constitutes example explains the presence explanandum explanatory figure final cause find first fish flyers flying formal cause formal nature function goal-directed actions Gotthelf heavenly bodies heavens heuristic human identification jÅsiv kaª kind of animal Lennox living locomotion material necessity material potentials Meta middle term motion natural body natural phenomena natural sciences natural teleology necessary prerequisites outcomes perception perform Ph II.8 picked posterior Posterior Analytics potential for form pr¼v primary teleology processes produce realization reference reflect residues sake scientific secondary teleology soul specific sublunary subsidiary substantial syllogism t¼n tän teleological explanations teleological principles things to±v toÓ unqualified well-being winter rain