Final Causality in Nature and Human AffairsRichard F. Hassing Teleology - the inquiry into the goals or goods at which nature, history, God, and human beings aim - is among the most fundamental yet controversial themes in the history of philosophy. Are there ends in nonhuman nature? Does human history have a goal? Do humanly unintended events of great significance express some sort of purpose? Do human beings have ends prior to choice? The essays in this volume address the abiding questions of final causality. The chapters are arranged in historical order from Aristotle through Hegel to contemporary anthropic-principle cosmology. |
Contents
RICHARD F HASSING Introduction | 1 |
Aristotles Definition of Nature? | 52 |
ALLAN GOTTHELF Understanding Aristotles | 71 |
ERNEST L FORTIN On the Presumed Medieval | 86 |
RICHARD L VELKLEY Moral Finality and | 107 |
DAVID A WHITE Unity and Form in Kants | 125 |
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
according agents animals anthropic principle appear argument Aristotle Aristotle's basic basis becomes biology bodies causality cause chance claim complex concept concerning contingency cosmology Critique determine discussion distinction early effect empirical essential evolution example existence experience explanation fact final cause force fundamental give given ground human idea important individual intelligible interpretation issue judgment Kant Kant's kind laws living logical material matter means mechanics metaphysical moral motion namely Natural Right nature necessity objective observers organisms origin particular philosophy physics political position possible present Press principle problem produce properties quantum quantum mechanics question reason refers reflective relation result scientific seems sense species structure suggested teleology theory things thought tion trans tree understanding unity universe whole York