teleology

tel·e·ol·o·gy  (tl-l-j, tl-)

n. 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.

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[Greek teleios, teleos, perfect, complete (from telos, end, result; see k^wel-¹ in Indo-European roots) + -logy.]

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tele·o·logi·cal (--lj-kl), tele·o·logic (-k) adj.

tele·o·logi·cal·ly adv.

tele·olo·gist n.

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teleology

Noun

1. Philosophy the doctrine that there is evidence of purpose or design in the universe

2. Biol the belief that natural phenomena have a predetermined purpose and are not determined by mechanical laws [Greek telos end + -logy]

teleological adj
teleologist n

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teleology

1. the doctrine that final causes (purposes) exist.
2. the study of the evidences of design or purpose in nature.
3. such a design or purpose.
4. the belief that purpose and design are a part of or apparent in nature.
5. Vitalism. the doctrine that phenomena are guided by both mechanical forces and goals of self-realization. Cf. entelechy. — teleologist, n. — teleologie, teleological, adj.

See also: Philosophy

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

teleology - (philosophy) a doctrine explaining phenomena by their ends or purposes philosophy - the rational investigation of questions about existence and knowledge and ethics philosophical doctrine, philosophical theory - a doctrine accepted by adherents to a philosophy