Teleologies and the Methodology of Epistemology

Abstract

The teleological approach to understanding an epistemic concept asks questions like ‘what is the purpose of the concept?’, ‘what role has it played?’, or ‘if we imagine a society without the concept, what would it lack?’ The idea behind the teleological approach is that examining the function of a concept illuminates the phenomenon the concept picks out. This chapter explains the teleological approach. First, the approach is contrasted with more orthodox approaches in epistemology. Second, three specific kinds of teleological approaches are distinguished, and an example of each kind is provided. The teleological approach in general is often viewed as antithetical to more orthodox approaches, and so in competition with them. This chapter argues, by contrast, that all these methods can be fruitfully combined in epistemological theorizing. The chapter ends by suggesting specific ways that the teleological approach can be incorporated alongside more orthodox approaches within a general philosophical method.

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