I think Robin may have meant by “purpose” role in society rather than explicit intention of the principal. (In other words, the signaling is why employers continue to value education, and why people keep going to school.)
Similarly, even if you don’t, for instance, go to a bar with the explicit purpose of propagating your genes, you are only naturally inclined to get laid because it’s an evolutionarily fit behavior. This doesn’t mean you can’t explicitly hold another purpose in your mind.
Tiiba,
I think Robin may have meant by “purpose” role in society rather than explicit intention of the principal. (In other words, the signaling is why employers continue to value education, and why people keep going to school.)
Similarly, even if you don’t, for instance, go to a bar with the explicit purpose of propagating your genes, you are only naturally inclined to get laid because it’s an evolutionarily fit behavior. This doesn’t mean you can’t explicitly hold another purpose in your mind.