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Oct. 16th, 2016 02:12 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
timeletsWRT to the dialog here: http://ivanov-petrov.livejournal.com/2011106.html?thread=111606754#t111606754
John R. Searle mentioned once that Charles Darwin not only provided a new explanation for biological change, but also created a new form of explanation. I don't remember the exact quote, but Searle emphasized the 2-level structure of the form:
- Level 1: physical/chemical causal processes inside the organism, i.e. the internal function that has to work for the organism to survive;
- Level 2: processes outside of the organism, i.e. external selection, to select for the function.
He used the example of a sunflower that both has an internal machinery for turning its head toward the sun, and an environment where sun-capturing plants have an advantage.
I have a hunch that a new form of explanation can be captured by a pullback diagram.
John R. Searle mentioned once that Charles Darwin not only provided a new explanation for biological change, but also created a new form of explanation. I don't remember the exact quote, but Searle emphasized the 2-level structure of the form:
- Level 1: physical/chemical causal processes inside the organism, i.e. the internal function that has to work for the organism to survive;
- Level 2: processes outside of the organism, i.e. external selection, to select for the function.
He used the example of a sunflower that both has an internal machinery for turning its head toward the sun, and an environment where sun-capturing plants have an advantage.
I have a hunch that a new form of explanation can be captured by a pullback diagram.
