This new special issue of Synthese challenges the widespread neglect of teleology in analytic philosophy, demonstrating its ongoing relevance across multiple domains. While often dismissed due to its historical associations with Aristotelianism and pre-Darwinian thought, teleological explanations remain indispensable in understanding biological functions, human agency, social institutions, and even aspects of epistemology and ethics. The collection brings together 13 papers that engage with contemporary accounts of biological teleology and explore its implications for social ontology, the philosophy of mind, and broader metaphysical debates.
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