Biological Teleology: Questions and Explanations

Studies in History and Philosophy of Science Part A 12 (2):91 (1981)
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Abstract

This paper gives an account of evolutionary explanations in biology. Briefly, the explanations I am primarily concerned with are explanations of adaptations. These explanations are contrasted with other nonteleological evolutionary explanations. The distinction is made by distinguishing the different kinds of questions these different explanations serve to answer. The sense in which explanations of adaptations are teleological is spelled out.

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Robert Brandon
Duke University

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