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    What counts as 'nature's purpose' is not empirically disc... — Carmelics
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    Challenges→When the outcome is uncertain, rational beings ought to choose in accordance with what is typically nature's purpose.

    What counts as 'nature's purpose' is not empirically discoverable but is smuggled in via normative assumptions (Hume, Treatise, III.i.1).

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    1 reason for
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    Reasons For

    1 perspective
    Reason for
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    • 1.Empirical observation cannot distinguish between natural regularities and prescriptive purposes without additional interpretive frameworks.
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    • 2.Historical shifts in what counts as 'nature's purpose' correlate with changing moral and social values, not new empirical discoveries.
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    • 3.Any claim that X has purpose Y requires evaluating Y as good/desirable, which is a normative judgment beyond observation.
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    Reasons Against

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    Reason against
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    • 1.Biological function is empirically discoverable through causal role in survival and reproduction without smuggling in values.
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    • 2.The distinction between 'discovering purpose' and 'imposing values' may itself rely on unclear boundaries, not invalidate functional analysis.
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    • 3.Even if purpose-language involves norms, this doesn't mean all such claims are equally unfounded or lack empirical grounding.
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    Consequentialism1 linkedMoral Responsibility1 linked

    Related

    Any claim that X has purpose Y requires evaluating Y as good/desirable, which is...Biological function is empirically discoverable through causal role in survival ...Empirical observation cannot distinguish between natural regularities and prescr...Even if purpose-language involves norms, this doesn't mean all such claims are e...
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    Historical shifts in what counts as 'nature's purpose' correlate with changing m...The distinction between 'discovering purpose' and 'imposing values' may itself r...When the outcome is uncertain, rational beings ought to choose in accordance wit...

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