¿Hay diseño en la naturaleza? Daniel Dennett y el problema de la teleología: cuestiones epistemológicos y didácticas

This paper discusses some of Daniel Dennett’s analyses (associated with the notions of “intentional stance,” “reverse engineering”, and “design”) of the problem of teleology in biology. On the basis of this discussion, a possible way in which these notions can be articulated within a general perspective on the role and legitimacy of teleology in biology is proposed. Finally, some didactic implications of such analyses are discussed in relation to the problem of teleology in the teaching of evolutionary biology. More specifically, it is argued that Dennett’s analyses constitute an adequate epistemological foundation for a didactic approach focused on fostering students’ “metacognitive vigilance” over their teleological intuitions.