t cover.234 pp., xiv. NAP. Following the Preface, Contents divided into 7 chapters; (1) "Tracing Links of Causation"; (2) "Approaching the Norms of Nature"; (3) "Discarding Selected Functions"; (4) "Defeating Promiscuity: Hierarchical Systems and Systemic Functions"; (5) "Naturalizing Functions: Evidence, Methodology, and Ontology"; (6) "Guiding Inquiry: The Theoretical Roles of Systemic Functions"; (7) "Defining Functional Types: Success and Malfunctions"; Appreciations and Acknowledgments, pp. 217-218; References, pp. 219-225; Index, pp. 227-234. Black and turquoise dustwrapper not price-clipped (no price) with title and Subtitle lettering in a column at lower left front cover, just above Author name lettering in turquoise over black at bottom left corner; large illustration (detail) of a human iris and small amount of (white) sclera on top half front cover: Long preserved in thick, clear mylar. Black cloth with brilliant silver lettering on spine. But for very small remainder mark on lower edge near spine, FLAWLESS. UNREAD. (NO previous owner names.) Gift-Giving Quality.

N� de r�f. du vendeur 002577

Contacter le vendeur

Signaler cet article

D�tails bibliographiques

Titre: Norms of Nature: Naturalism and the Nature of Functions
�diteur: A Bradford Book / The MIT Press, Cambridge, MA and London
Date de parution: 2001
Langue: anglais
ISBN � 10 chiffres: 0262041871
ISBN � 13 chiffres: 9780262041874
Reliure: Hardcover
�dition: 1st Edition
Impression: 1st Printing
�tat de l'article: As New
�tat de la jaquette: As New

A propos de ce titre

Synopsis

The components of living systems strike us as functional-as for the sake of certain ends—and as endowed with specific norms of performance. The mammalian eye, for example, has the function of perceiving and processing light, and possession of this property tempts us to claim that token eyes are supposed to perceive and process light. That is, we tend to evaluate the performance of token eyes against the norm described in the attributed functional property. Hence the norms of nature.

What, then, are the norms of nature? Whence do they arise? Out of what natural properties or relations are they constituted? In Norms of Nature, Paul Sheldon Davies argues against the prevailing view that natural norms are constituted out of some form of historical success—usually success in natural selection. He defends the view that functions are nothing more than effects that contribute to the exercise of some more general systemic capacity. Natural functions exist insofar as the components of natural systems contribute to the exercise of systemic capacities. This is so irrespective of the system's history. Even if the mammalian eye had never been selected for, it would have the function of perceiving and processing light, because those are the effects that contribute to the exercise of the visual system. The systemic approach to conceptualizing natural norms, claims Davies, is superior to the historical approach in several important ways. Especially significant is that it helps us understand how the attribution of functions within the life sciences coheres with the methods and ontology of the natural sciences generally.

� propos de l?auteur

Paul Sheldon Davies is Associate Professor of Philosophy at the College of William and Mary.

Les informations fournies dans la section � A propos du livre � peuvent faire r�f�rence � une autre �dition de ce titre.

Description de la librairie

Retired academic's reference library with specialization in philosophy, religion, science, and mathematics--all scholarly subject areas; Pre-Socratics to contemporary; biographies; some series collections. General stock also, including fiction, poetry, literary criticism, mysteries, some foreign language, children's, history, sociology, psychology, education. Some signed copies.

Visitez la page d�accueil du vendeur

Informations commerciales relatives au vendeur

Theoria Books
MA, U.S.A.

Conditions de vente et de livraison

Conditions g�n�rales de vente

We abide by the current policies set by Abebooks. Please submit all orders through Abebooks.com

Droit de r�tractation

Conditions d'exp�dition

All domestic orders will be sent by USPS Media Mail, unless some other mode of shipping is requested or required and accepted in advance of shipping. International orders will be sent by USPS International Flat-Rate Priority envelope or box, unless the current weight and size restrictions cannot be met or insurance is requested or required (e.g., the book is worth $40.00 or more). All books sent by USPS Flat-Rate unpadded envelope (or padded envelope, moreover) will be wrapped in paper and packed between cardboard sheets larger than the book or with cardboard affixed at the corners, in order to prevent damage to the book during shipment. Books sent in boxes will also be wrapped in paper and suitably packed to avoid movement in box. The goal here is to ship essentially at cost, rather than to reap additional profit beyond the cost of shipping, thus keeping the customer's cost for shipping as low as possible.

Frais d?exp�dition � l?int�rieur de ce pays�: Etats-Unis

Frais d?exp�dition � l?int�rieur de ce pays�: Etats-Unis
Quantit� command�e	5 � 14 jours ouvr�s	3 � 6 jours ouvr�s
Premier article	EUR 4.26	EUR 9.37

Les d�lais de livraison sont fix�s par les vendeurs et varient en fonction du transporteur et du lieu. Les commandes transitant par les douanes peuvent �tre retard�es et les acheteurs sont responsables de tous les droits ou frais associ�s. Les vendeurs peuvent vous contacter au sujet de frais suppl�mentaires afin de couvrir toute augmentation des co�ts d'exp�dition de vos articles.