Tra immanenza e trascendenza. La teleologia della natura in Hans Jonas

Abstract

My contribution aims at positioning Hans Jonas’ conception of teleology within the current debate on whether it is possible to think of natural teleology in non-intentionalistic terms. It is argued that Jonas’ approach can be construed as an attempt to combine elements of immanent and transcendent conceptions of teleology in order to provide for a middle ground between naturalist and non-naturalist positions. After clarifying 1) the systematic role of the concept of teleology within Jonas’ philosophy of biology, 2) the different teleological models that Jonas takes into consideration, and 3) the way in which Jonas individuates an intrinsic teleology within natural entities I propose an appraisal of the fruitfulness as well as the ambiguity of Jonas’ approach with regard to the current philosophical debate.