The etiological approach to the concept of biological function

Karla Chediak

pp. 161-169

in: Décio Krause, Antonio A. Passos Videira (eds), Brazilian studies in philosophy and history of science, Berlin, Springer, 2011

Abstract

The etiological approach to the concept of biological function, also called teleological or historical, aims to offer an explanation of the function, answering the question of why a trait, organ, biological system or behavior is present in the living organism to which it belongs, performing a functional role.