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Some ways that a thing can go wrong : malfunctions, disorders and perversions

Author(s)
Bach-y-Rita, Peter
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Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Linguistics and Philosophy.
Advisor
Judith Jarvis Thomson.
Terms of use
M.I.T. theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. See provided URL for inquiries about permission. http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582
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Abstract
"Selection and Artifacts" is about how artifacts acquire functions. According to Karen Neander, the function of an artifact is the purpose for which it is designed or built. But I argue that in order for an artifact to have some function its parts and properties must also have been properly selected. "Defining 'Disorder"' examines the conceptual analysis of medical disorder. I defend and develop the idea that a medical disorder is a harmful malfunction. "Teleological Theories of Sexual Perversion" examines attempts to analyze sexual perversion in terms of the biological goal of sex or the functions of sexual organs and psychological mechanisms. I argue that teleological theories are false, and defend the view that sexual perversion is excessive, and therefore unwarranted, sexual attraction, especially sexual attraction to that which is disgusting.
Description
Thesis (Ph. D.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Linguistics and Philosophy, 2006.
 
Includes bibliographical references (leaves 74-77).
 
Date issued
2006
URI
http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/37419
Department
Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Linguistics and Philosophy
Publisher
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Keywords
Linguistics and Philosophy.

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