Teleology

Teleology is about functions, ends, and goals in nature.This Element offers a philosophical examination of these phenomena and aims to reinstate teleology as a core part of the metaphysics of science.It starts with a critical analysis of three theories of function and argues that functions ultimately depend on goals.A metaphysical investigation of goal-directedness is then undertaken.After arguing against reductive approaches to goal-directedness, the Element develops a new theory which grounds many cases of goal-directedness in the metaphysics of powers.According to this theory, teleological properties are genuine, irreducible features of the world.