Single Idea 23800

[catalogued under 18. Thought / C. Content / 11. Teleological Semantics]

Full Idea

Teleosemantic theories usually give a causal account of mental functions …where some trait has a particular function if it was selected for that function by a process of natural selection.

Gist of Idea

Teleosemantic explanations say content is the causal result of naturally selected functions

Source

Peter Schulte (Mental Content [2023], 4.4)

Book Reference

Schulte,Peter: 'Mental Content' [CUP 2023], p.34


A Reaction

This is an idea I like - that something has a specific function if without that function it wouldn't have come into existence (eyes, for example). But presumably the function of a mind is to collect content - which does nothing to explain content!