LEADER 04361nam 2200625 a 450 001 9910438234403321 005 20200520144314.0 010 $a1-299-40848-6 010 $a94-007-5304-7 024 7 $a10.1007/978-94-007-5304-4 035 $a(CKB)2670000000338247 035 $a(EBL)1083541 035 $a(OCoLC)828794560 035 $a(SSID)ssj0000878949 035 $a(PQKBManifestationID)11477713 035 $a(PQKBTitleCode)TC0000878949 035 $a(PQKBWorkID)10857825 035 $a(PQKB)11712859 035 $a(DE-He213)978-94-007-5304-4 035 $a(MiAaPQ)EBC1083541 035 $a(PPN)168340526 035 $a(EXLCZ)992670000000338247 100 $a20121226d2013 uy 0 101 0 $aeng 135 $aur|n|---||||| 181 $ctxt 182 $cc 183 $acr 200 00$aFunctions $eselection and mechanisms /$fPhilippe Huneman, editor 205 $a1st ed. 2013. 210 $aDordrecht $cSpringer$d2013 215 $a1 online resource (240 p.) 225 1 $aSynthese library : studies in epistemology, logic, methodology, and philosophy of science ;$vv. 363 300 $aDescription based upon print version of record. 311 $a94-007-9337-5 311 $a94-007-5303-9 320 $aIncludes bibliographical references. 327 $apt. 1. Biological functions and functional explanations : genes, cells, organisms and ecosystems - functions, organization and development in life sciences -- pt. 2. Biological functions and functional explanations : genes, cells, organisms and ecosystems - functional pluralism for biologists? -- pt. 3. Psychology, philosophy of mind and technology : functions in a man's world - metaphysics, function and philosophy of mind -- pt. 4. Psychology, philosophy of mind and technology : functions in a man's world - philosophy of technology, design and functions. 330 $aThis  volume handles in various perspectives the concept of function and the nature of functional explanations, topics much discussed since two major and conflicting accounts have been raised by Larry Wright and Robert Cummins?s papers in the 1970s. Here, both Wright?s ?etiological theory of functions? and Cummins?s ?systemic? conception of functions are refined and elaborated in the light of current scientific practice, with papers showing how the ?etiological? theory faces several objections and may in reply be revisited, while its counterpart became ever more sophisticated, as researchers discovered fresh applications for it.   Relying on a firm knowledge of the original positions and debates, this volume presents cutting-edge research evincing the complexities that today pertain in function theory in various sciences. Alongside original papers from authors central to the controversy, work by emerging researchers taking novel perspectives will add to the potential avenues to be followed in the future. Not only does the book adopt no a priori assumptions about the scope of functional explanations, it also incorporates material from several very different scientific domains, e.g. neurosciences, ecology, or technology.   In general, functions are implemented in mechanisms; and functional explanations in biology have often an essential relation with natural selection. These two basic claims set the stage for this book?s coverage of investigations concerning both ?functional? explanations, and the ?metaphysics? of functions. It casts new light on these claims, by testing them through their confrontation with scientific developments in biology, psychology, and recent developments concerning the metaphysics of realization. Rather than debating a single theory of functions, this book presents the richness of philosophical issues raised by functional discourse throughout the various sciences. 410 0$aSynthese library ;$vv. 363. 606 $aBiology$xPhilosophy 606 $aHuman biology$xPhilosophy 606 $aHuman physiology$xPhilosophy 615 0$aBiology$xPhilosophy. 615 0$aHuman biology$xPhilosophy. 615 0$aHuman physiology$xPhilosophy. 676 $a124 701 $aHuneman$b Philippe$01137012 801 0$bMiAaPQ 801 1$bMiAaPQ 801 2$bMiAaPQ 906 $aBOOK 912 $a9910438234403321 996 $aFunctions$94195320 997 $aUNINA