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Full Idea
Final causes not only advance virtue and piety in ethics and natural theology, but also help us to find and lay bare hidden truths in physics itself.
Gist of Idea
Final causes can help with explanations in physics
Source
Gottfried Leibniz (On Nature Itself (De Ipsa Natura) [1698], §04)
Book Ref
Leibniz,Gottfried: 'Philosophical Essays', ed/tr. Arlew,R /Garber,D [Hackett 1989], p.157
A Reaction
This rearguard action against the attack on teleology is certainly aimed at Spinoza. The notion of purpose still seems to have a role to play in evolutionary biology, but probably not in physics.
13195 | To explain a house we must describe its use, as well as its parts [Leibniz] |
12755 | Final causes can help with explanations in physics [Leibniz] |
16555 | Functions are not properties of objects, they are activities contributing to mechanisms [Machamer/Darden/Craver] |
12789 | Biological functions are explained by disposition, or by causal role [Leuridan] |