teleological
tee-lee-uh-LOJ-ih-kul
/ˌtiː.li.əˈlɒdʒ.ɪ.kəl/
Explanatory of phenomena in terms of the purpose, goal, or end they serve rather than the causes by which they arise.
Focuses on ultimate ends, goals, or inherent purpose (telos) in ethics, biology, or metaphysics.
The story behind the word. Coined in 1728 by German philosopher Christian Wolff from Greek 'telos' (end, goal) and '-logia' (study). Teleological systems look ahead to the final outcome or goal to explain meaning or morality.
Word relationships
- goal-oriented: Goal-oriented is casual; teleological implies philosophical purpose or intrinsic design toward a final state.
- deontological: Based on intrinsic duty rather than end goals.
- mechanistic: Explaining things purely by physical cause-and-effect without underlying purpose.
Commonly confused with
- theological: Theological relates to God and religion; teleological relates to ultimate goals, ends, or purposes (telos).
Word family
- teleology (noun): The study of purpose or ultimate ends in nature and human action
Collocations
- teleological ethics
- teleological argument
- teleological framework
- teleological view
Example sentences
- "Aristotle championed a teleological worldview, asserting that every entity in nature moves toward an inherent final purpose." Classical Philosophy
Memory hook
TELE-ological = like looking through a TELEscope to see the far-off END goal. Oriented toward the end purpose.
When not to use
Avoid applying teleological phrasing to modern evolutionary biology, as natural selection operates without conscious goals or foresight.
Fun facts
- The 'teleological argument' is another formal name for the Design Argument for God's existence, asserting that order and purpose in nature prove a supreme designer.
Related words
Explore more words
teleology, mechanistic, metaphysical, purposeful, ontological, consequentialism
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