A Justification of Legitimate Teleological Explanations in Physics Education

Abstract Scientific teleological explanations cite end states as causes to account for physical phenomena. Researchers in science education have noted that students can use ways are illegitimate, example, by implying inanimate objects acting intentionally. Despite such cases, several examples of legitimate explanation been described, and the explanatory form contexts biological has encouraged. We argue that, addition those accounts meet two criteria be a valuable tool physics education. propose when, first, reflects cause-and-effect relationships exist reality and, second, when state degree necessity. Our is based on Lange’s model constraint-based causality, which he argues phenomena explained reference constraints, necessary restrictions, laws, limit behaviour introduce seven teleology context consider what extent met each case hence their legitimacy. Five potential criticisms approach introduced, discussed, dismissed. Strategies using classroom proposed.