entelechy

en·tel·e·chy  (n-tl-k)

n. pl. en·tel·e·chies

1. In the philosophy of Aristotle, the condition of a thing whose essence is fully realized; actuality.

2. In some philosophical systems, a vital force that directs an organism toward self-fulfillment.

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[Late Latin entelecha, from Greek entelekheia : entels, complete (en-, in; see en-² + telos, completion; see k^wel-¹ in Indo-European roots) + ekhein, to have; see segh- in Indo-European roots.]

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entelechy [ɛnˈtɛlɪkɪ]

n pl -chies Metaphysics

1. (Philosophy) (in the philosophy of Aristotle) actuality as opposed to potentiality

2. (Philosophy) (in the system of Leibnitz) the soul or principle of perfection of an object or person; a monad or basic constituent

3. (Philosophy) something that contains or realizes a final cause, esp the vital force thought to direct the life of an organism

[from Late Latin entelechia, from Greek entelekheia, from en-² + telos goal, completion + ekhein to have]

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entelechy

Vitalism. a vital agent or force directing growth and life. Cf. teleology. — entelechial, adj.

See also: Philosophy

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

entelechy - (Aristotle) the state of something that is fully realized; actuality as opposed to potentiality metaphysics - the philosophical study of being and knowing Aristotle - one of the greatest of the ancient Athenian philosophers; pupil of Plato; teacher of Alexander the Great (384-322 BC) actuality - the state of actually existing objectively; "a hope that progressed from possibility to actuality"