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

See Examples For:

finalism

M. Bergson's form of finalism depends upon his conception of life.

From Our Knowledge of the External World as a Field for Scientific Method in Philosophy by Russell, Bertrand

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

From Creative Evolution by Mitchell, Arthur

The error of radical finalism, as also that of radical mechanism, is to extend too far the application of certain concepts that are natural to our intellect.

From Creative Evolution by Mitchell, Arthur

It claims to transcend both mechanism and finalism; but, as we announced at the beginning, it is nearer the second doctrine than the first.

From Creative Evolution by Mitchell, Arthur

It is this more comprehensive reality that true finalism ought to reconstruct, or, rather, if possible, embrace in one view.

From Creative Evolution by Mitchell, Arthur