natural function

Biological design intent

Natural function refers to the normal biological processes or purposes of an organ, system, or organism: The natural function of the heart is to pump blood.

The phrase often appears in discussions of health, design, or purpose—what something is meant to do when working properly.

In philosophy and ethics, natural function sometimes carries normative weight, implying how things *should* operate.

Related

fight or flight · metabolism · human flourishing · reproduction · respiration · teleology · digestion · telos · offspring · phylogeny · generation · life cycle · photosynthesis · excretion · circulation · procreation · growth · capacity

Opposites
intentionality

natural functionsocial function

Organized interpersonal gathering

normativity

natural functiondysfunction

Abnormal or unhealthy operation

malfunction · misuse

Family

natural, function, nature, naturally, naturalness, unnatural, naturalize, naturalization, naturalist

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Used worldwide · Timeless · Abstract · Rated G