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Neutral Functional Statement Schemata

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  14 March 2022

Lowell Nissen*
Affiliation:
University of Arkansas

Abstract

The claim that there are nonpurposive functional statements is critically examined by looking at nine translation schemata, several of which are drawn from recent literature. All but one or two fail, suggesting that all functional statements (a) are causal (and not about probabilities or necessary conditions), and (b) have implicit reference to goals. If so, then the possibility of nonpurposive functional statements rests squarely on the possibility of nonpurposive goals.

Information

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © 1971 by The Philosophy of Science Association

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