Does nature have a purpose?

The simple scientific answer is no, but the fuller story is, of course, more complicated than that. Concepts like goal directedness, directionality, and even purpose are used - usefully! - in biology all the time. How can we reconcile these two realities?

Today's guest on the HPS podcast is Professor Alan C. Love. Alan is professor of philosophy at the University of Minnesota and principal investigator of 'The Purpose Project'. Alan joins Samara Greenwood to talk about how we can develop richer understandings of purpose in the sciences, and potentially, more broadly.

Alan also raises some interesting points on the challenges and opportunities of interdisciplinarity. He discusses what scientists need to be aware of when working collaboratively, and how philosophers of science can add great value.

A transcript of the episode can be found here - https://www.hpsunimelb.org/post/episode-3-transcript

More about Alan Love and his work:

Project Website: ‘Biological Purpose’ - https://www.biologicalpurpose.org/

General Article: ‘Alan Love on the Science of Purpose’ - https://bit.ly/AlanLoveArticle

Academic Article: ‘Organising Interdisciplinary Research on Purpose’ -https://doi.org/10.1093/biosci/biac041 

Thanks for listening to The HPS Podcast with current producers, Samara Greenwood and Carmelina Contarino. You can find more about us on our blog, website, bluesky, twitter, instagram and facebook feeds. Music by ComaStudio.

This podcast would not be possible without the support of School of Historical and Philosophical Studies at the University of Melbourne.

HPS Podcast | hpsunimelb.org