finalism

American  

[fahyn-l-iz-uhm] / ˈfaɪn lˌɪz əm /

noun

1. the doctrine or belief that all events are determined by their purposes or goals.

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finalism British  

/ ˈfaɪnəˌlɪzəm /

noun

1. philosophy the doctrine that final causes determine the course of all events

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Other Word Forms

• finalistic adjective

Etymology

Origin of finalism

First recorded in 1905–10; final + -ism

Example Sentences

For that reason, radical finalism is very near radical mechanism on many points.

From Creative Evolution by Mitchell, Arthur

Mechanism and finalism agree in taking account only of the bright nucleus shining in the centre.

From Creative Evolution by Mitchell, Arthur

Their authors pass from physiological sensualism to moralism, from imitation of nature to finalism, and to transcendental mysticism, without consciousness of the incongruity of their theses, at variance each with itself.

From Aesthetic as Science of Expression and General Linguistic by Croce, Benedetto

Let us say at once that to thin out the Leibnizian finalism by breaking it into an infinite number of pieces seems to us a step in the wrong direction.

From Creative Evolution by Mitchell, Arthur

At best it can prescind from finalism by a confession of incompleteness and philosophical bankruptcy; by resolutely refusing to face the problem of the whole—of the ultimate whence and whither.

From The Faith of the Millions (2nd series) by Tyrrell, George