2026-09-20T16:00:24Zhttps://dspace.mit.edu/server/oai/requestoai:dspace.mit.edu:1721.1/374192022-01-13T07:54:31Zcom_1721.1_7582com_1721.1_7581col_1721.1_131022
Judith Jarvis Thomson.
Bach-y-Rita, Peter
Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Linguistics and Philosophy.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Linguistics and Philosophy
2007-05-16T18:33:57Z
2007-05-16T18:33:57Z
2006
2006
http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/37419
123083842
Thesis (Ph. D.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Linguistics and Philosophy, 2006.
Includes bibliographical references (leaves 74-77).
"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.
by Peter Bach-y-Rita.
Ph.D.
77 leaves
eng
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
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http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582
Linguistics and Philosophy.
Some ways that a thing can go wrong : malfunctions, disorders and perversions
Thesis
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