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Full Idea
A house would be badly explained if we were to describe only the arrangement of its parts, but not its use.
Gist of Idea
To explain a house we must describe its use, as well as its parts
Source
Gottfried Leibniz (On Body and Force, Against the Cartesians [1702], p.255)
Book Ref
Leibniz,Gottfried: 'Philosophical Essays', ed/tr. Arlew,R /Garber,D [Hackett 1989], p.255
A Reaction
This must partly fall under pragmatics (i.e. what the enquirer is interested in). But function plays a genuine role in artefacts, and also in evolved biological organs.
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] |