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Article
Teleology and Theology: The Cognitive Science of Teleology and the Aristotelian Virtues of Techne and Wisdom
Staff Publications and Research
  • Brian Patrick Green, Santa Clara University
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
8-13-2012
Publisher
Taylor & Francis
Abstract

Recent research in cognitive science has shown that humans innately prefer teleological explanations. Children even go so far as to hypothesize the existence of a deity in order to justify teleological explanations. Aristotle also believed in the importance of teleology for human psychology. This paper investigates the convergence of ideas from the cognitive science of teleology with the Aristotelian understanding of teleology visible in the virtues of techne and wisdom. I argue that Aristotelian psychology and ethics is gaining empirical support, and that this could have important implications for science, philosophy, and theology.

Citation Information
Green, B. P. (2012). Teleology and Theology: The Cognitive Science of Teleology and the Aristotelian Virtues of Techneand Wisdom. Theology and Science, 10(3), 291–311. https://doi.org/10.1080/14746700.2012.695247