teleology in Biology: Who Could Ask for Anything More?

Abstract. Teleological thinking permeates biology and is useful in pondering unanswered biological questions. Such thinking differs from the usual sense of teleology in that “purpose” in biology carries no imputation of causation. A few examples are given. The teleological system of biology is every...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Page, Lyman A. (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
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Published: Wiley-Blackwell 2006
In: Zygon
Year: 2006, Volume: 41, Issue: 2, Pages: 427-434
Further subjects:B Ethics
B Brain
B human constructs
B Causation
B Religion
B Transcendentalism
B Evolution
B Biology
B Teleology
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Summary:Abstract. Teleological thinking permeates biology and is useful in pondering unanswered biological questions. Such thinking differs from the usual sense of teleology in that “purpose” in biology carries no imputation of causation. A few examples are given. The teleological system of biology is every bit as elegant a construct of the human mind as any other teleological system and in no way precludes spirituality. I argue that it provides a firmer foundation for moral guidance than supernatural systems.
ISSN:1467-9744
Contains:Enthalten in: Zygon
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.1111/j.1467-9744.2005.00747.x