teleology

American  

[tel-ee-ol-uh-jee, tee-lee-] / ˌtɛl iˈɒl ə dʒi, ˌti li- /

noun

Philosophy.

1. the doctrine that final causes exist.

2. the study of the evidences of design or purpose in nature.

3. such design or purpose.

4. the belief that purpose and design are a part of or are apparent in nature.

5. (in vitalist philosophy) the doctrine that phenomena are guided not only by mechanical forces but that they also move toward certain goals of self-realization.

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teleology British  

/ ˌtiːlɪ-, ˌtɛlɪˈɒlədʒɪ, ˌtiːlɪ-, ˌtɛlɪəˈlɒdʒɪkəl /

noun

1. philosophy

   1. the doctrine that there is evidence of purpose or design in the universe, and esp that this provides proof of the existence of a Designer

   2. the belief that certain phenomena are best explained in terms of purpose rather than cause

   3. the systematic study of such phenomena See also final cause

2. biology the belief that natural phenomena have a predetermined purpose and are not determined by mechanical laws

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Other Word Forms

• teleologic adjective
• teleological adjective
• teleologically adverb
• teleologism noun
• teleologist noun

Etymology

Origin of teleology

From the New Latin word teleologia, dating back to 1730–40. See teleo-, -logy

Example Sentences

In the near future, Teresa is a middle-aged Massachusetts native without a career, a steady paycheck or a corporate teleology.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 12, 2023

The various models proposed for the mechanism of evolution, such as Lamarckian evolution, orthogenesis, and use-disuse, all implied some level of teleology, that there was a directionality inherent in the process.

From Scientific American • Sep. 5, 2021

One natural objection to the search for Dyson spheres is that it presupposes an endlessly consumptive technological teleology.

From The New Yorker • Oct. 3, 2019

What had happened was one story, the story of communism, the teleology of communism had turned out not to be true.

From Slate • Mar. 7, 2017

These flippant words were hardly out of my mouth before Francis was off on the dangers of uncritical teleology.

From "Double Helix" by James D. Watson