ultimate cause
Quick Summary
In philosophy, the ultimate cause refers to the final purpose or end goal of a process, as conceptualized in Aristotelian and other teleological doctrines. This contrasts with proximate causes, which are the immediate mechanisms underlying a behavior or event, such as physiological or psychological factors.12
The concept of a first cause is central to arguments for the existence of God, suggesting that every chain of causes must ultimately lead back to a self-created being. Philosophers like St. Thomas Aquinas argued that the observable order of causation requires a first cause that is not part of the causal chain itself but is the ground for the entire series. Immanuel Kant, however, rejected this argument, asserting that causality cannot be applied beyond the realm of possible experience.34
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animal social behaviorProximate versus ultimate causation…arises in animals) from its ultimate cause (that is, the evolutionary history and functional utility of the behavior). Proximate causes include hereditary, developmental, structural, cognitive, psychological, and physiological aspects of behavior. In other words, proximate causes are the mechanisms directly underlying the behavior. For example, an animal separated from the…
Read More…arises in animals) from its ultimate cause (that is, the evolutionary history and functional utility of the behavior). Proximate causes include hereditary, developmental, structural, cognitive, psychological, and physiological aspects of behavior. In other words, proximate causes are the mechanisms directly underlying the behavior. For example, an animal separated from the…
Read More- animal social behaviorProximate versus ultimate causation
In contrast, the ultimate causes of social behaviors include their evolutionary or historical origins and the selective processes that have shaped their past and current functions. In the case of the isolated herd animal, the development of a better defense against predators that results in increased survival of…
Read MoreIn contrast, the ultimate causes of social behaviors include their evolutionary or historical origins and the selective processes that have shaped their past and current functions. In the case of the isolated herd animal, the development of a better defense against predators that results in increased survival of…
Read More - animal social behaviorStrong inference and the scientific study of social behavior
…to deduce the proximate and ultimate functions by using strong inference based on a set of critical predictions. If experiments to test these predictions indicate that the predictions are not met, then the hypothesis is falsified and discarded. If the predictions are met, the hypothesis is supported, but that does…
Read More…to deduce the proximate and ultimate functions by using strong inference based on a set of critical predictions. If experiments to test these predictions indicate that the predictions are not met, then the hypothesis is falsified and discarded. If the predictions are met, the hypothesis is supported, but that does…
Read More - animal social behaviorThe ultimate causes of social behavior
The advantages of behaviors such as mating and caring for offspring are obvious in that they increase the number and survival of an individual’s own young. In contrast, social behaviors such as living in groups and helping others do not…
Read MoreThe advantages of behaviors such as mating and caring for offspring are obvious in that they increase the number and survival of an individual’s own young. In contrast, social behaviors such as living in groups and helping others do not…
Read More - animal social behaviorSocial interactions involving the use of space
…from benefits provided by the ultimate cause—that is, the mating opportunities the site provides.
Read More…from benefits provided by the ultimate cause—that is, the mating opportunities the site provides.
Read More - animal social behaviorEvolutionary psychology and human behavior
Understanding the ultimate and proximate causes of social behavior in various animals provides a compelling case that evolutionary history, natural selection, development, endocrine and neural mechanisms, and the social environment all might well affect the expression of social behavior in human beings. The process of explaining human…
Read MoreUnderstanding the ultimate and proximate causes of social behavior in various animals provides a compelling case that evolutionary history, natural selection, development, endocrine and neural mechanisms, and the social environment all might well affect the expression of social behavior in human beings. The process of explaining human…
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