final cause

American  

noun

Aristotelianism.

1. cause8b

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final cause British  

noun

1. philosophy the end or purpose of a thing or process, as opposed to its efficient cause See cause

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Etymology

Origin of final cause

First recorded in 1350–1400

Example Sentences

The final cause of death is pending further testing to determine whether the baby was born alive or stillborn, the affidavit said.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 16, 2024

British actor Julian Sands' final cause of death has been deemed undetermined.

From BBC • Jul. 25, 2023

The next day, Mr. Ketler’s body was taken to the city’s morgue, where the final cause of death was established.

From New York Times • Jul. 3, 2022

The final cause reflected the purpose of the being, or the reason why the sculpture was made in the first place.

From Textbooks • Jun. 15, 2022

“I’m saying it’s possible as an idea, even necessary as an idea, a final cause in the whole structure of causation.”

From "The Things They Carried" by Tim O'Brien

Related Words

• purpose