Full Idea
In functional explanation, there is a disagreement over whether an item has a function the first time it occurs.
Gist of Idea
Does an item have a function the first time it occurs?
Source
Wesley Salmon (Four Decades of Scientific Explanation [1989], 3.8)
Book Reference
Salmon,Wesley C.: 'Four Decades of Scientific Explanation', ed/tr. Humphreys,Paul [Pittsburgh 2006], p.114
A Reaction
This question arises particularly in evolutionary contexts, and would obviously not generally arise in the case of human artefacts.