Mechanistic teleology and explanation in neuroethology

Abstract

The highest available form of understanding of a living structure requires mechanistic reductionist analysis from all points of view. In addition, the optimization methods of physics are applied to actions of components that are pushed by natural selection to optimum compromises. Here knowledge of function is essential. The explanation of behavior in terms of neurons boils down to an exposition of the neuron fields in terms of function of their outputs in normal activity, not necessarily in terms of details the investigator records.