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teleology Definition

te·le·ol·ogy (tē′lē äl′ə 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
  4. Ethics the evaluation of conduct, as in utilitarianism, in relation to the end or ends it serves

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

teleology Related Forms
te′·le·o·log′i·cal adjective te′·le·ol′o·gist noun
teleology Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • explain: The challenge for any mechanistic theory, then, is to explain the teleology of the human world in non-teleological terms.

Adjective modifier

  • universal: However, I do not believe in universal teleology, which seems to be a position advocated by many Reformed people.
  • certain: In this sense the physical realm demonstrates a certain teleology ( telos = ' end ' or ' purpose ' ).