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

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

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 will not be amiss to dwell on this point, and show more precisely how far this philosophy of life resembles finalism and wherein it is different.

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

Like radical finalism, although in a vaguer form, our philosophy represents the organized world as a harmonious whole.

From Creative Evolution by Mitchell, Arthur