This book is about the functions of technical artefacts, material objects made to serve practical purposes; As we shall show, however, such intentionalist accounts face staunch opposition from other accounts, such as those that focus on long-term reproduction of artefacts.
Chapter 1 Introduction.- Chapter 2 Use, plans and designing.- 2.1 Artefacts and actions.- 2.2 Use plans.- 2.3 Planning in use.- 2.4 Designing plans.- 2.6 Standards for use plans.- 2.7 Evaluating artefact use and design.- Chapter 3 Function theories.- 3.1 Function theories for technical artefacts.- 3.2 The intentional function theory.- 3.3 Cummins.causal-role theory of functions.- 3.4 The evolutionist function theory.- 3.5 Combining the basic theories.- 4.1 A use-plan approach towards functions.- 4.2 Function ascriptions.- 4.3 Assessing the function ascriptions.- 4.4 Functional roles.- Chapter 5 Malfunctioning.- 5.1 The phenomenon of artefact malfunctioning.- 5.2 Having capacities versus exercising them.- 5.3 Artefact normativity.- Chapter 6 Engineering, science and biology.- 6.2 Engineering.- 6.3 Physics and chemistry.- 6.4 Biology.- 6.5 A biological and generalised ICE-theory.- Chapter 7 The nature of artefacts.- 7.1 Functions as conceptual drawbridges.- 7.2 Against function essentialism.- 7.3 Plan relativism.- 7.4 Useful and man-made materials.