Mark Perlman
- Published in print:
- 2009
- Published Online:
- August 2013
- ISBN:
- 9780262113212
- eISBN:
- 9780262255271
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- The MIT Press
- DOI:
- 10.7551/mitpress/9780262113212.003.0002
- Subject:
- Biology, Biomathematics / Statistics and Data Analysis / Complexity Studies
This chapter addresses some factors to consider in the further development of theories of teleofunctions. It recommends the things that should be avoided in the theories of teleofunctions: don't draw ...
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This chapter addresses some factors to consider in the further development of theories of teleofunctions. It recommends the things that should be avoided in the theories of teleofunctions: don't draw a hard line between natural functions and functions of artifacts, don't let teleofunctional theories neglect contexts, don't make designer's intentions essential to artifact function, and don't let theories of teleology spiral out of control into definitional oblivion. It allows different facets of functionality in both fields, biological and artificial functionality. This chapter suggests that the various notions of “function” has different strengths and weaknesses, and will be appropriate in explaining different things.Less
This chapter addresses some factors to consider in the further development of theories of teleofunctions. It recommends the things that should be avoided in the theories of teleofunctions: don't draw a hard line between natural functions and functions of artifacts, don't let teleofunctional theories neglect contexts, don't make designer's intentions essential to artifact function, and don't let theories of teleology spiral out of control into definitional oblivion. It allows different facets of functionality in both fields, biological and artificial functionality. This chapter suggests that the various notions of “function” has different strengths and weaknesses, and will be appropriate in explaining different things.
Henrik Hogh-Olesen
- Published in print:
- 2018
- Published Online:
- September 2018
- ISBN:
- 9780190927929
- eISBN:
- 9780190927950
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/oso/9780190927929.001.0001
- Subject:
- Psychology, Cognitive Psychology
The Aesthetic Animal answers the ultimate questions of why we adorn ourselves; embellish our things and surroundings; and produce art, music, song, dance, and fiction. Humans are aesthetic animals ...
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The Aesthetic Animal answers the ultimate questions of why we adorn ourselves; embellish our things and surroundings; and produce art, music, song, dance, and fiction. Humans are aesthetic animals that spend vast amounts of time and resources on seemingly useless aesthetic activities. However, nature would not allow a species to waste precious time and effort on activities completely unrelated to the survival, reproduction, and well-being of that species. Consequently, the aesthetic impulse must have some important biological functions. An impulse is a natural, internal behavioral incentive that does not need external reward to exist. A number of observations indicate that the aesthetic impulse is exactly such an inherent part of human nature, and therefore it is a primary impulse in its own right with several important functions. The aesthetic impulse may guide us toward what is biologically good for us and help us choose the right fitness-enhancing items in our surroundings. It is a valid individual fitness indicator, as well as a unifying social group marker, and aesthetically skilled individuals get more mating possibilities, higher status, and more collaborative offers. This book is written in a lively and entertaining tone, and it presents an original and comprehensive synthesis of the empirical field, synthesizing data from archeology, cave art, anthropology, biology, ethology, and experimental and evolutionary psychology and neuro-aesthetics.Less
The Aesthetic Animal answers the ultimate questions of why we adorn ourselves; embellish our things and surroundings; and produce art, music, song, dance, and fiction. Humans are aesthetic animals that spend vast amounts of time and resources on seemingly useless aesthetic activities. However, nature would not allow a species to waste precious time and effort on activities completely unrelated to the survival, reproduction, and well-being of that species. Consequently, the aesthetic impulse must have some important biological functions. An impulse is a natural, internal behavioral incentive that does not need external reward to exist. A number of observations indicate that the aesthetic impulse is exactly such an inherent part of human nature, and therefore it is a primary impulse in its own right with several important functions. The aesthetic impulse may guide us toward what is biologically good for us and help us choose the right fitness-enhancing items in our surroundings. It is a valid individual fitness indicator, as well as a unifying social group marker, and aesthetically skilled individuals get more mating possibilities, higher status, and more collaborative offers. This book is written in a lively and entertaining tone, and it presents an original and comprehensive synthesis of the empirical field, synthesizing data from archeology, cave art, anthropology, biology, ethology, and experimental and evolutionary psychology and neuro-aesthetics.
