Abstract

The relationship between biology and teleology has always been a controversial topic. Darwin considers natural selection as an important cause of evolution. This thought not only excludes theological teleology, but also makes evolutionary lose the philosophical foundation. Although Mayr considers evolutionary biology as the research about ultimate causes which has a close relation with teleology, but Mayr's teleology was biological or mundane, so it cannot provide a deep basis for evolution. Instead, Kant's teleology was transcendental, so it can provides a philosophical basis for evolution. Kant's teleology has its special status and value in evolutionary biology; it therefore shouldn't be overlooked or marginalized.

Key Words

Evolutionary biology; Theological teleology; Experience teleology; Transcendental teleology

Citation: Shuang, X., Chen, X. 'Evolutionary Biology and Teleology: On the Philosophical Basis about the Thought of “Evolution”' [J]. Journal of Dialectics of Nature, 2018, 40(5): 25-32.

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