The Problem of Phantom Functions

Sune Hannibal Holm

doi:10.1007/s10670-016-9814-x

The Problem of Phantom Functions

Sune Hannibal Holm

Department of Communication

1 Citation (Scopus)

Abstract

This paper discusses a recent solution to the problem of artifact phantom functions by Beth Preston. A phantom function is a function associated with a kind of artifact that it is structurally incapable of performing. Preston proposes a criterion of artifact proper function according to which phantom functions can be proper functions. This paper argues that Preston’s criterion cannot ground the teleological and normative aspects definitive of proper functions and that the proposed criterion is not consistent with Preston’s account of how copies of novel prototypes acquire proper functions. The paper defends an understanding of phantom functions suggested in earlier work by Preston.

Original language	English
Journal	Erkenntnis: An International Journal of Scientific Philosophy
Volume	82
Issue number	1
Pages (from-to)	233-241
Number of pages	9
ISSN	0165-0106
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1007/s10670-016-9814-x
Publication status	Published - 1 Feb 2017

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title = "The Problem of Phantom Functions",

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AB - This paper discusses a recent solution to the problem of artifact phantom functions by Beth Preston. A phantom function is a function associated with a kind of artifact that it is structurally incapable of performing. Preston proposes a criterion of artifact proper function according to which phantom functions can be proper functions. This paper argues that Preston’s criterion cannot ground the teleological and normative aspects definitive of proper functions and that the proposed criterion is not consistent with Preston’s account of how copies of novel prototypes acquire proper functions. The paper defends an understanding of phantom functions suggested in earlier work by Preston.

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The Problem of Phantom Functions

Abstract

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