Overview
Gunnar Babcock’s research is primarily in the philosophy of biology. It focuses on topics like biological individuality, species, and both modern and historical accounts of teleology. Much of his most recent work focuses on developing a new theory of goal-directed systems.
Research Focus
• Philosophy of biology
(especially goal directedness, functions, and biological individuality)
• Philosophy of science
• Ethics in life sciences
• Agency
(especially as it relates to biological organization)
Publications
McShea, D.W., Babcock, G., (forthcoming). “Four false dichotomies in the study of teleology”, Ratio
Babcock, G., McShea, D.W., (forthcoming). “Goal directedness and the field concept”, Philosophy of Science
Babcock, G., McShea, D.W., (2024). “Agency as internal control” In Fábregas-Tejeda, A., Baedke, J., Prieto, G.I & Radick, G. (Eds.), The Riddle of Organismal Agency: New Historical and Philosophical Reflections, Routledge.
Babcock, G., (2023). “Teleology and function in non-living nature”, Synthese, 201(4)
Babcock, G., McShea, D.W., (2023). “Resolving teleology’s false dilemma”, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 39(4): 415-432
Babcock, G., (2021). “Are Synthetic Genomes Parts of a Genetic Lineage?”, British Journal for the Philosophy of Science, 72(4): 995-1011
Babcock, G., McShea, D.W., (2021). “An externalist teleology”, Synthese, 199: 8755-8780
Babcock, G., (2020). “Asexual organisms, identity and vertical gene transfer”, Studies in History and Philosophy of Science Part C: Studies in History and Philosophy of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, 81:101265