Abstract
Teleology and teleonomy are notions employed in discourse, descriptive and explanatory, about living systems, and although it is claimed that they do not necessarily enter as causal elements in their functioning, it is asserted that they are essential definitory features of their organization. Our present aim is to show that in the light of the preceding discussion, these notions are unnecessary for the understanding of the living organization.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Similar content being viewed by others
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 1980 D. Reidel Publishing Company, Dordrecht, Holland
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Maturana, H.R., Varela, F.J. (1980). Dispensability of Teleonomy. In: Autopoiesis and Cognition. Boston Studies in the Philosophy and History of Science, vol 42. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-8947-4_10
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-8947-4_10
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht
Print ISBN: 978-90-277-1016-1
Online ISBN: 978-94-009-8947-4
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive