Edmond Goblot’s (1858–1935) Selected Effects Theory of Function: A Reappraisal
Philosophy of Science 88 (5):1210-1220 (2021)
Abstract
At the beginning of the twentieth century, the French philosopher of science Edmond Goblot wrote three prescient papers on function and teleology. He advanced the remarkable thesis that functions are, as a matter of conceptual analysis, selected effects. He also argued that “selection” must be understood broadly to include both evolutionary natural selection and intelligent design. Here, I do three things. First, I give an overview of Goblot’s thought. Second, I identify his core thesis about function. Third, I argue that, despite its ingenuity, Goblot’s expansive construal of function cannot be right. Still, Goblot deserves long-overdue credit for his work.Author's Profile
DOI
10.1086/714871
My notes
Similar books and articles
Kerkomard, J., Salzi, P., Goblot, F., Edmond Goblot 1858-1935. La vie-l'oeuvre. [REVIEW] Barth - 1939 - Philosophisches Jahrbuch 52:488.
Souvenirs et Lettres d'Edmond Goblot.François Gablot & Edmond Goblot - 1936 - Revue de Métaphysique et de Morale 43 (3):431 - 452.
Edmond Goblot. La vie. L'œuvre.Mm Kergomard & Fr Goblot Salzi - 1938 - Revue de Métaphysique et de Morale 45 (3):25-25.
Edmond Goblot : la vie, l'œuvre.Jean Kergomard, Pierre Salzi & François Goblot - 1942 - Revue Philosophique de la France Et de l'Etranger 133 (7):87-87.
Social Trajectory and Sociological Theory: Edmond Goblot, the Bourgeoisie, and Social Distinction.Michel Lallement - 2016 - Social Epistemology 30 (5-6):692-709.
Selected effects and causal role functions in the brain: the case for an etiological approach to neuroscience.Justin Garson - 2011 - Biology and Philosophy 26 (4):547-565.
ssai sur la Classification des sciences. [REVIEW]Edmond Goblot - 1899 - Ancient Philosophy (Misc) 9:269.
Edmond goblot.[author unknown] - 1935 - Revue Philosophique de la France Et de l'Etranger 120 (9):302-303.
Le Système des Sciences le Vrai, l'Intelligible Et le Réel.Edmond Goblot - 1922 - Librairie Armand Colin.
Analytics
Added to PP
2021-03-03
Downloads
142 (#90,112)
6 months
43 (#31,282)
2021-03-03
Downloads
142 (#90,112)
6 months
43 (#31,282)
Historical graph of downloads
Author's Profile
Citations of this work
Do transposable elements have functions of their very own?Justin Garson - 2022 - Biology and Philosophy 37 (3):1-18.
References found in this work
Language, Thought, and Other Biological Categories.Ruth Garrett Millikan - 1984 - Behaviorism 14 (1):51-56.
Functions as Selected Effects: The Conceptual Analyst’s Defense.Karen Neander - 1991 - Philosophy of Science 58 (2):168-184.