- the study of final causes
- the fact or quality, attributed to natural processes, of being directed toward a definite end or of having an ultimate purpose
- the doctrine that natural phenomena are determined by an overall design or purpose in nature
- the study of evidence for this belief
Origin of teleologyModern Latin teleologia from Classical Greek telos, teleos, an end (see telo-) + -logia (see -logy)
- The philosophical interpretation of natural phenomena as exhibiting purpose or design.
- The use of ultimate purpose or design as a means of explaining phenomena.
- Belief in or the perception of purposeful development toward an end, as in history.
Origin of teleologyGreek teleios, teleos perfect, complete ( from telos end, result ; see kwel-1 in Indo-European roots.) -logy
- tel′e·o·log′i·cal tel′e·o·log′ic
From Ancient Greek Ï„ÎÎ»Î¿Ï‚ (telos, “purpose") + Î»ÏŒÎ³Î¿Ï‚ (logos, “word, speech, discourse")