What Functions Explain: Functional Explanation and Self-Reproducing Systems

Acknowledgements Part I. Functions and Intentions: 1. Introduction 2. The problem of teleology 3. Intentions and the functions of artifacts Part II. The Analysis of Functional Explanation: 4. Basic positions in philosophy of science: Hempel and Nagel 5. The etiological view 6. The dispositional view Part III. Self-Reproducing Systems: 7. Artifacts and organisms 8. Feedback mechanisms and their beneficiaries 9. Having a good 10. What functions explain Notes Bibliography Index.