4.3 Article

Function, homology, and character individuation

Journal

PHILOSOPHY OF SCIENCE
Volume 73, Issue 1, Pages 1-25

Publisher

UNIV CHICAGO PRESS
DOI: 10.1086/510172

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I defend the view that many biological categories are defined by homology against a series of arguments designed to show that all biological categories are defined, at least in part, by selected function. I show that categories of homology are 'abnormality inclusive'--something often alleged to be unique to selected function categories. I show that classifications by selected function are logically dependent on classifications by homology, but not vice-versa. Finally, I reject the view that biologists must use considerations of selected function to abstract away from variation and pathology to form a canonical description of a class of biological systems.

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