Functions in Biological and Artificial Worlds: Comparative Philosophical Perspectives (Vienna Series in Theoretical Biology (10))

"The roles of design and normativity continue to be a hotly debated topic in that part of the philosophy of biology concerned with function. This volume differs from most in being the outcome of a workshop in which early versions were discussed by the other authors. The result has the welcome feel of philosophical discussion rather than of the major players once again defining their territory."--Robert Cummins, Professor and Chair, Department of Philosophy, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign "This is a gem of a book. Focusing on the concepts of function in biology and technology, these rich articles open up many questions for further pursuit. The importance of Functions in Biological and Artificial Worlds extends beyond philosophy of biology and philosophy of technology into issues of general philosophical interest -- for example, emergence, real kinds, function, and normativity. Functions in Biological and Artificial Worlds bristles with insights and provocative ideas. Highly recommended." --Lynne Rudder Baker, University of Massachusetts Amherst -- Lynne Rudder Baker "This is a gem of a book. Focusing on the concepts of function in biology and technology, these rich articles open up many questions for further pursuit. The importance of Functions in Biological and Artificial Worlds extends beyond philosophy of biology and philosophy of technology into issues of general philosophical interest -- for example, emergence, real kinds, function, and normativity. Functions in Biological and Artificial Worlds bristles with insights and provocative ideas. Highly recommended." Lynne Rudder Baker , University of Massachusetts Amherst