Edmond Goblot's (1858–1935) Selected Effects Theory of Function: A Reappraisal. Issue 5 (December 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Garson, Justin
• Is Part Of: Philosophy of science. Volume 88:Issue 5(2021)
• Page Start: 1210
• Page End: 1220
• Publication Date: 2021-12
• Subjects: Science -- Periodicals; Science -- Philosophy; Science; Science -- Philosophy; Philosophie des sciences; Epistemology; Periodicals; 501
• DOI: 10.1086/714871
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1539-767X

Abstract

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.