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Dispensability of Teleonomy

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Autopoiesis and Cognition

Part of the book series: Boston Studies in the Philosophy and History of Science ((BSPS,volume 42))

Abstract

Teleology and teleonomy are notions employed in discourse, descriptive and explanatory, about living systems, and although it is claimed that they do not necessarily enter as causal elements in their functioning, it is asserted that they are essential definitory features of their organization. Our present aim is to show that in the light of the preceding discussion, these notions are unnecessary for the understanding of the living organization.

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© 1980 D. Reidel Publishing Company, Dordrecht, Holland

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Maturana, H.R., Varela, F.J. (1980). Dispensability of Teleonomy. In: Autopoiesis and Cognition. Boston Studies in the Philosophy and History of Science, vol 42. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-8947-4_10

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-8947-4_10

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-90-277-1016-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-009-8947-4

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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