Skip to content
Carmelics
TopicsThinkersChangesContributorsLoading account…

    Carmelics

    A reasoning platform. Break down any belief into clear reasons, explore both sides, and weigh the evidence honestly.

    Navigate

    • Topics
    • Search
    • Recent Changes
    • Contribute
    • How It Works
    • Glossary
    • Thinkers
    • Contributors
    • About
    • Statistics
    • Terms
    • Privacy

    Database

    Statements
    —
    Perspectives
    —
    Topics
    —

    Press ? for keyboard shortcuts

    LoyalLoyalJusticeJustice
    Made withinDC&Austin
    Statements
    321,452
    Perspectives
    108,905
    Topics
    42
    A distinction grounded in objective species-typical funct... — Carmelics
    Home
    HistoryEditSee Inverse

    Part of a larger discussion

    Challenges→There is no natural law that distinguishes some events in nature as more natural than others.

    A distinction grounded in objective species-typical function is a natural law distinction, not an arbitrary or theological one, falsifying the claim that no such law exists.

    ?Rate how convincing each reason is below to see the overall strength.
    1 reason for
    1 reason against

    Reasons For

    1 perspective
    Reason for
    ?
    • 1.Biological systems exhibit consistent functional organization across species members, observable through anatomy and behavior.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 2.Natural laws describe regularities in physical systems; species-typical functions are empirically regular biological phenomena.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 3.Grounding distinctions in objective function avoids circularity better than grounding them in subjective preference or tradition.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    Reasons Against

    1 perspective
    Reason against
    ?
    • 1.Describing biological functions doesn't entail normative conclusions about how organisms ought to behave or what is good.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 2.'Species-typical' masks diversity: many organisms have no single typical function, and individuals deviate from statistical norms.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 3.Natural laws describe what happens necessarily; distinguishing based on function still requires a value judgment about which functions matter.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    Sign in or register to share your perspective on this statement.

    Next step

    Based on where you are in your exploration

    Strongest counterpoint
    Explore the most compelling reason on the other side.

    Connections

    2 topics

    Causation1 linkedModality & Possibility1 linked

    Related

    'Species-typical' masks diversity: many organisms have no single typical functio...Biological systems exhibit consistent functional organization across species mem...Describing biological functions doesn't entail normative conclusions about how o...Grounding distinctions in objective function avoids circularity better than grou...
    +3 moreShow less
    Natural laws describe regularities in physical systems; species-typical function...Natural laws describe what happens necessarily; distinguishing based on function...There is no natural law that distinguishes some events in nature as more natural...

    Details

    Type
    claim
    Perspectives
    2 (1 for, 1 against)
    Edits
    1 edit