Similarly, the process by which samples of said gamete were produced for purposes of medical research would be considered a perversion of the natural function of that process. But what if the medical researcher was investigating the potential for semen to contribute to a cure for, let’s say…a specific form of blindness.Ī strictly teleological morality would prohibit this, as it would be considered a perversion of the natural function of the gamete. But what if some medical researcher wanted to do medical research on male ejaculate? OK, perhaps if that research was directed at fertility studies we could say that the standard process of obtaining a specimen was still directed towards the primary natural purpose of the reproduction of the species, and we might allow it on this basis. Its evident primary natural function is to unite with and fertilise the female gamete in the process of species reproduction. The distinction between intrinsic and extrinsic teleology makes no difference here.Ĭonsider the male gamete. That’s like saying that it would be improper to use my tennis racket to pound in tent pegs, or to use as a dance partner at a party. The main reason is that, just because something has an evident primary natural purpose, doesn’t mean that, all things considered, that purpose is the only good purpose it can be put to. Helps me keep my liberal argumentative toolkit in shape.Īs much as I respect teleology as a natural principle, I believe that drawing strict moral arguments from teleology can be erroneous. Gametes together with those of the opposite sex one would have to give aĬomplete description of immature testicles without implying that they aim or are directed toward sperm production years down the line and soĪlways a pleasure to read Dr Feser’s extremely insightful and well-written blog posts. Getting together with female gametes one would have to be able to give aĬomplete description of genitalia without saying anything that implies that For example, one would have to be able to giveĪ complete description of male gametes without saying anything that implies
That makes no implicit reference at all to teleological features. Terms, it is another thing actually to show exactly how this could beĬapture everything we know about gametes, chromosomes, genitalia, etc. Presume) he would hold that such talk can be cashed out in non-teleological Himself describes the phenomena with which he is concerned in terms that Recent paper, the computational descriptions in fact implicitly presuppose something like Aristotelian
Software or program) provides a handy replacement for teleology.
It is often thought that resort toĬomputational notions (such as characterizations of the genome as a kind of Scott Turner have argued, natural selection in any event at most castsĭoubt on teleology where questions about adaptationĪre concerned, but leaves untouched the need for teleological descriptions of developmental processes. in causal terms or in terms of natural selection) are For example, attempts to reduce the notion ofīiological function (e.g. But actually pulling this job off is something no one has really done. They can be reduced or eliminated is extremely common. Teleological notions in the context of biology. Is that it is very difficult at best to reduce or eliminate essentialist and
For example, the eye is for seeing, and it retains that functionĮven if genetic defect, injury, or old age leave it incapable of fulfilling Leaves them no longer capable of realizing that end. Toward the production of viable eggs, and remain so directed even if age Furthermore, the claim that “a post-menopausal woman does not cease toīe female simply because she no longer produces viable eggs” can also be read Realized (because of the death of the baby). Particular, it is natural to read it as implying that a baby boy’s physiologyĮventual production of sperm, and is so directed even if this end is never Production is far in his future (or even if he dies in infancy),” it is natural When Byrne says that “a baby boy is male, despite the fact that sperm