I have a new paper in Synthese! I argue: Millikan’s notions of relational, adapted, and derived proper functions are indispensable parts of every selected effects theory of functions and of teleosemantics! Further, they solve teleosemantics’ problem of novel contents! doi.org/10.1007/s112...

Check out this new paper: @jroloff.bsky.social argues that Millikan’s relational, adapted, and derived proper functions are essential for explaining novel contents and ontogenetic traits, countering Garson and @davidpapineau.bsky.social’s criticisms. doi.org/10.1007/s112...

Check out Hanzhe Dong and @gualtiero.bsky.social‘s response to @fhundertmark.bsky.social, @frabellazzi.bsky.social, and my defense of the importance of past selection for theories of functions on @philosophyofbrains.com philosophyofbrains.com/2024/12/13/r...

Hanzhe Dong & @gualtiero.bsky.social respond to @jroloff.bsky.social, @frabellazzi.bsky.social, and my critique of GCA, defending it as foundational for biological functions. They address normativity, incidental effects, and novel traits. Read their response: philosophyofbrains.com/2024/12/13/r...

Both parts of the response to Dong‘s and @gualtiero.bsky.social blog post about biological functions on @philosophyofbrains.com that I wrote with @fhundertmark.bsky.social and @frabellazzi.bsky.social are out now. We argue that selection is inescapable! It was a pleasure writing this with you!

“Do we need to rethink biological functions?” With @jroloff.bsky.social & @frabellazzi.bsky.social, I respond to Dong & @gualtiero.bsky.social’s critique of the selected effects theory. We argue: Selection is inescapable! Part 1 now on @philosophyofbrains.com: philosophyofbrains.com/2024/12/10/s...

Check out this exchange on functions. Out reply will be posted soon