LA DEFENSA ARISTOTÉLICA DEL USO DE EXPLICACIONES TELEOLÓGICAS EN FÍSICA II 8

• Main Author: Alberto Ross
• Format: Article
• Language: Spanish
• Published: Universidad Panamericana 2013-11-01
• Series: Tópicos
• Subjects: Aristóteles; Física; teleología; naturaleza; azar.
• Online Access: http://topicosojs.up.edu.mx/ojs/index.php/topicos/article/view/206

This essay attempts to offer a reconstruction of Aristotle’s arguments in favor of the use of teleological explanations in Physics II 8. In his exposition of the selected passages Ross makes some emphasis upon the dialogical character of discourse in order to make a modest contribution to the solution of two puzzles: one exegetical in character and the other systematic. This reading allows the author to introduce a new element in the discussion concerning what the scopes and limits of teleological explanations are in Aristotle’s Physics. In Ross’ view, this strategy is helpful for advancing in the understanding of which is the type of arguments that can be offered when what is under consideration is whether teleology or mechanism are the most proper explicative scheme to account for the natural phenomena.