Teleological powers

Abstract

Abstract In this article, I develop a metaphysical account of final causes grounded on contemporary powers metaphysics. After having presented some key elements of an Aristotle‐inspired teleology, i.e., the study of final causes within Aristotelian tradition, I introduce powers. Moreover, I present some theses about their nature and features. Afterward, I distinguish between two kinds of powers that are expected to play the roles traditionally attributed to final causes: weakly teleological powers and strongly teleological powers. Weakly teleological powers are those powers that ground the possession of all the other powers of a substance. Strongly teleological powers are those powers that ground the activation of all the other powers of a substance. Within this framework, I then develop some options to deal with human teleology, i.e., with the study of human behavior in light of final causes. Finally, in the last Section, I briefly compare my account with other accounts of teleology and of specific sorts of powers that somehow resemble teleological powers.

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