Single Idea 2684

[catalogued under 26. Natural Theory / A. Speculations on Nature / 2. Natural Purpose / b. Limited purposes]

Full Idea

Aristotle does not distinguish teleological description and teleological explanation, or not as clearly as he should.

Gist of Idea

Aristotle needed to distinguish teleological description from teleological explanation

Source

comment on Aristotle (Nicomachean Ethics [c.334 BCE]) by Terence Irwin - Metaphysical and psych. basis of 'Ethics' p.40

Book Reference

'Essays on Aristotle's Ethics', ed/tr. Rorty,Amélie Oksenberg [University of California 1980], p.40


A Reaction

I assume the explanation has to be factual and true, but the description might be a convenient way of focusing our view of something.