teleology

(tē′lē älə jē, tel′ē-)

noun

  1. the study of final causes
  2. the fact or quality of being directed toward a definite end or of having an ultimate purpose, esp. as attributed to natural processes
    1. a belief, as that of vitalism, that natural phenomena are determined not only by mechanical causes but by an overall design or purpose in nature
    2. the study of evidence for this belief
  3. Ethics the evaluation of conduct, as in utilitarianism, in relation to the end or ends it serves

Origin: ModL teleologia < Gr telos, teleos, an end (see telo-) + -logia (see -logy)

Related Forms:

See teleology in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun pl. tel·e·ol·o·gies
  1. The study of design or purpose in natural phenomena.
  2. The use of ultimate purpose or design as a means of explaining phenomena.
  3. Belief in or the perception of purposeful development toward an end, as in nature or history.

Origin:

Origin: Greek teleios, teleos, perfect, complete (from telos, end, result; see kwel-1 in Indo-European roots)

Origin: + -logy

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Related Forms:

  • telˌe·o·logˈi·cal (-ə-lŏjˈĭ-kəl), telˌe·o·logˈic (-ĭk) adjective
  • telˌe·o·logˈi·cal·ly adverb
  • telˌe·olˈo·gist noun

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