For and Against the Teleonomic Interpretation of Life

Abstract

Due to the development of molecular biology the ancient problem of the teleology of living set-ups has again been taken up. Cybernetics with its model of cell based on information has proved very helpful. The paper seeks to present some solutions of the problem of teleology. The material concentrates on a few questions: why does man go back to teleology in explaining the living set-ups? To what extent do the data of molecular biology and cybernetics produce a new standpoint on this issue? May the proposed teleonomic conception of life satisfy the researcher?

The final part sought to point to yet another solution of this problem. Two kinds of explanation have been quoted: the projective and symbolic one. The question of teleology would belong to the latter. The material of the paper is based mainly on French literature in which this problem is still present.