Full Idea
In the beginning there were no reasons; there were only causes. Nothing had a purpose, nothing had so much as a function; there was no teleology in the world at all. The explanation is simple: there was nothing that had interests.
Gist of Idea
Originally there were no reasons, purposes or functions; since there were no interests, there were only causes
Source
Daniel C. Dennett (Consciousness Explained [1991], 7.2)
Book Reference
Dennett,Daniel C.: 'Consciousness Explained' [Penguin 1993], p.173
A Reaction
It seems reasonable to talk of functions even if the fledgling 'interests' are unconscious, as in a leaf. Is a process leading to an end an 'interest'? What are the 'interests' of a person who is about to commit suicide?