What Biological Functions Are and Why They Matter

by Justin Garson

The biological functions debate is a perennial topic in the philosophy of science. In the first full-length account of the nature and importance of biological functions for many years, Justin Garson presents an innovative new theory, the 'generalized selected effects theory of function', which seamlessly integrates evolutionary and developmental perspectives on biological functions. He develops the implications of the theory for contemporary debates in the philosophy of mind, the philosophy of medicine and psychiatry, the philosophy of biology, and biology itself, addressing issues ranging from the nature of mental representation to our understanding of the function of the human genome. Clear, jargon-free, and engagingly written, with accessible examples and explanatory diagrams to illustrate the discussion, his book will be highly valuable for readers across philosophical and scientific disciplines.

Genres: Philosophy

246 pages, Hardcover

Published February 28, 2019

About the author

Justin Garson, Ph.D., is a philosopher and historian of science at the City University of New York. He’s written numerous scholarly books and articles on biology, mind, and madness, including Madness: A Philosophical Exploration and The Madness Pill. He lives in Connecticut with his wife and children.

Reviews

[Noah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Compared to most of the literature on this subject, Garson is a pleasure to read and he knows that literature very, very well. Here, he makes a strong case for his version of the selected effects account of biological functions, the generalized selected effects (GSE) account. As with his other book on the subject, A Critical Overview of Biological Functions (2016), I recommend jumping in the deep end first with the two seminal anthologies, Nature's Purposes: Analyses of Function & Design in Biology, Colin Allen, Marc Bekoff, & George Lauder (1998) and Function, Selection, & Design, David J. Buller (1999). If you can only read one, go with Nature's Purposes. Then, proceed to Functions: New Essays in the Philosophy of Psychology & Biology, André Ariew, Robert Cummins, & Mark Perlman (2002) and--if you haven't lost your taste for the subject by then--Functions: Selection & Mechanisms, Philippe Huneman (2012). It's important to see the merits of each account before lending Garson your ear--he is quite persuasive! I am excited to read his collaboration with Hariet Fagerberg, Biological Function, forthcoming from Cambridge Elements in the Philosophy of Biology. Fagerberg and Garson have complementary differences which I fully expect will make their book every bit as incisive as well-rounded. The compressed format of the series is sure to keep it highly economical, as well.