Are homologies (selected effect or causal role) function free?

This article argues that at least very many judgments of homology rest on prior attributions of selected-effect (SE) function, and that many of the "parts" of biological systems that are rightly classified as homologous are constituted by (are so classified in virtue of) their consequence etiologies. We claim that SE functions are often used in the prior identification of the parts deemed to be homologous and are often used to differentiate more restricted homologous kinds within less restricted ones. In doing so, we discuss recent criticism of this view that has been offered (especially that offered by Paul Griffiths). Copyright 2009 by the Philosophy of Science Association.

Duke Scholars

Author Alexander Rosenberg Philosophy