Metodo

International Studies in Phenomenology and Philosophy

Journal | Volume | Article

234717

Teleology and biocentrism

Sune Holm

pp. 1075-1087

Abstract

In this paper I examine the connection between accounts of biological teleology and the biocentrist claim that all living beings have a good of their own. I first present the background for biocentrists’ appeal to biological teleology. Then I raise a problem of scope for teleology-based biocentrism and, drawing in part on recent work by Basl and Sandler, I discuss Taylor and Varner’s responses to this problem. I then challenge Basl and Sandler’s own response to the scope problem for its reliance on a selectionist account of organismic teleology. Finally I examine the prospects for a biocentrist response to the problem of scope based on an alternative organisational account of internal teleology. I conclude by assessing the prospects for teleology-based biocentrism.

Publication details

Published in:

Holm Sune, Basl John (2017) Teleological organisation. Synthese 194 (4).

Pages: 1075-1087

DOI: 10.1007/s11229-016-1300-0

Full citation:

Holm Sune (2017) „Teleology and biocentrism“. Synthese 194 (4), 1075–1087.