The two projects differ in humanity’s teleology, not self-construction

Evidence

When a schoolboy trips his fellow to make him fall and to get the other boys to laugh, he has certainly engaged in an eminently teleological act, an exploitation of natural occurrences by intellect and will; but one can hardly categorize it under the concept of culture! — Georg Simmel, on individuality and social forms_…, 548 (#complicates, via linked claim)

But experience has shown that the mechanistic question leads to scientific knowledge, while the teleological question does not. — Bertrand Russell, History of Western Philosophy, 362 (#complicates, via linked claim)

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: Humanity’s defining project is self-surpassing, not mere survival — Simone de Beauvoir, The Second Sex, 153; Teleological human action alone does not constitute culture — Georg Simmel, on individuality and social forms_…, 548; Cultures differ over whether the world is a living whole or a machine — Rebecca A. Martusewicz, Jeff Edmundson, and John Lupinacci, EcoJustice Education: Toward Diverse,…, 615 (+2 more)

Broader Connections

• Teleological human action alone does not constitute culture #complicates (0.75) — Georg Simmel, on individuality and social forms_…, 548
• Experience shows that mechanistic questions yield scientific knowledge while teleological ones do not. #complicates (0.73) — Bertrand Russell, History of Western Philosophy, 362