tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3891434218564545511.post5470089861712770074..comments2024-03-27T20:37:09.185-05:00Comments on Alexander Pruss's Blog: Natural teleologyAlexander R Prusshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05989277655934827117noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3891434218564545511.post-60292658145980227802013-04-12T20:24:31.564-05:002013-04-12T20:24:31.564-05:00"Breathing is intrinsically directed at oxyge..."Breathing is intrinsically directed at oxygenation even if we're breathing helium." If you are doing any deep diving you will be breathing a mixture of oxygen and helium. The problem is that the greater the depth of the dive, the greater the surrounding water pressure and the greater the pressure of the air in the tanks being breathed. At a certain depth, the typical nitrogen/oxygen mixture we call air becomes toxic. There are effects such as nitrogen narcosis. Breathing pure oxygen at certain depths also become toxic. So a mixture of helium and oxygen is used. Another interesting diving gas mix is believe it or not was at one time hydrogen and oxygen. Here is an interesting article on different diving gas mixes:<br /><br />http://www-personal.umich.edu/~lpt/mixhistory.htmDagmara Lizlovshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14744785407281199347noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3891434218564545511.post-18706097247210552002013-04-12T09:06:58.596-05:002013-04-12T09:06:58.596-05:00I would distinguish between the telos (one or many...I would distinguish between the <i>telos</i> (one or many) in terms of design, and the extra purposes that we can add on top of those. So, the design of our breathing apparatus has oxygenation as its <i>telos</i> always. In the case of humans (and many diving birds/mammals), we have additional apparatus that permit <i>controlled</i> use of breathing (in our case, this permits language... it's the reason why a gorilla with a huge sign language vocabulary still can't verbally say "uh" on command). In any case, my point is that the apparatus is designed to seek its <i>telos</i> blindly, and so those of us equipped to do so may have to countermand these processes (e.g. holding our breath, or controlling breath to speak or sing).<br /><br />In short, each apparatus has its <i>telos</i>, but some beings are capable of intentionally countermanding or compounding on such ends for the sake of other ends.<br /><br />In the case of human sexual intercourse, it seems to me that there are a few <i>teloi</i> reproduction and emotional/personal coupling and enjoyment. However, we who have the ability and intention can countermand the goal of reproduction (contraception) or can engage in sexual relations with a totally separate goal (e.g. gaining favor with a higher-up at work, or something of that nature).Michael Gonzalezhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05279261871735286117noreply@blogger.com