Abstract:Abstract In this article it is argued that there is a fundamental misunderstanding about the concept of teleology in western thinking. This is a result of a radical transformation of the Aristotelian ...Abstract In this article it is argued that there is a fundamental misunderstanding about the concept of teleology in western thinking. This is a result of a radical transformation of the Aristotelian concept of teleology by Christian theology during the Middle Ages. Teleology was, and is, implicitly identified with the argument from design. This misconception resulted in a confusion about the role of teleology and chance in evolution. I shall give a rough sketch of the history of teleological thinking and an argumentation for the view that the rejection of a role for teleology in evolution cannot be justified. To accept a natural teleology would be more in accordance with the position of man as a product of a natural evolutionary process, and it would serve as a prerequisite for the formulation of an adequate bio- and eco-ethics.Read More
Publication Year: 1992
Publication Date: 1992-01-01
Language: en
Type: article
Indexed In: ['crossref']
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Cited By Count: 1
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