Critical Overview of Biological Functions

Justin Garson is an assistant professor of philosophy at Hunter College-CUNY. He has authored or co-authored dozens articles in the philosophy of science, the history of neuroscience and medicine, and biodiversity conservation. His first book, The Biological Mind: A Philosophical Introduction, shows how philosophical reflection on biology is crucial for solving long-standing puzzles of the human mind. He is also an editor of the forthcoming Routledge Handbook of the Philosophy of Biodiversity.

• Chapter 1. What is a theory of function supposed to do?.- Chapter 2. Goals and Functions.- Chapter 3. Function and Selection.- Chapter 4. Function and Fitness.- Chapter 5. Functions and Causal Roles.- Chapter 6. Alternative Accounts of Function.- Chapter 7. Conclusion: What Next?.

“The author provides an impressive and concise review of the debate on the various accounts of functions that are held by recent and current philosophers. … this book should be very helpful as a reference map of the accounts defended in current literature and as an introduction to the field. … We advise it mostly for a philosophical readership, as a map of the field.” (Maël Montévil, Science and Education, Vol. 26, 2017)