Purpose, Feedback, and Evolution

Abstract

This essay develops a theory of natural signs in order to show how evolutionary theory breathes new life into teleology. An argument to the contrary presented by Richard Taylor is refuted. The essay defends the view that the concept of negative feedback explicates purposiveness and that symbiotic evolution explains the occurrence of naturally adapted feedback systems. But evolution itself is not a teleological process, nor is it a negative feedback system. There is an exploration of the nature of the dissatisfaction we feel with an evolutionary account of purposiveness from which the fortuitous cannot be eliminated.

Models of proximate and ultimate causation in psychology.

“…Means-end relations seem like cause-effect relations (cf. Falk, 1981). A solution to this dilemma was provided in the mid-20th century by cybernetics (root meaning "steersman"), which in part studies how machines can be made to act in ways that appear purposive (cf.…”

“…The ultimate causes of reaching the goal were not in the future goal (target) but instead were embedded as cause-effect sequences within the means (path) leading to that goal (cf. Falk, 1981).…”

“…There are no future goal states in evolution, so there are no paths to future goals and thus no physical feedback loops to keep organisms on paths that reach ultimate goals (cf. Falk, 1981).…”

“…However, feedback systems do maintain and maximize the fitness of each organism within its current en-vironment (Falk, 1981). Were each generation to maintain its fitness through these feedback systems, the unfolding lineage would build its path into the future, step-by-step, but without direction toward any future goal.…”

“…Evolution is a selective, but not a negative feedback, process. Falk (1981) Its setting-is the point on the scale correlated with the least intense selectional pressure. .…”