teleology

[ tel-ee-ol-uh-jee, tee-lee- ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

, Philosophy.

the doctrine that final causes exist.
the study of the evidences of design or purpose in nature.
such design or purpose.
the belief that purpose and design are a part of or are apparent in nature.
(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.

teleology

/ ˌtiːlɪ-; ˌtɛlɪˈɒlədʒɪ; ˌtiːlɪ-; ˌtɛlɪəˈlɒdʒɪkəl /

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

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tel·e·o·log·i·cal [tel-ee-, uh, -, loj, -i-k, uh, l, tee-lee-], tele·o·logic adjective
tele·olo·gism noun
tele·olo·gist noun

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

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C18: from New Latin teleologia, from Greek telos end + -logy

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In the times of the ancients the preponderance of opinion was in favour of teleology, though impugners were not wanting.

Such orderly evolution harmonizes with a teleology derived, not indeed from external nature directly, but from the mind of man.

Neither mechanism nor teleology can give an absolute answer to ultimate questions.

And there is a sort of teleology in Hegel evidently inspired by his religious education.

Mechanism and teleology do not exclude one another, they are rather in mutual agreement.

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