Definitions for TELEOLOGY
ˌtɛl iˈɒl ə dʒi, ˌti li-tele·ol·o·gy

Princeton's WordNetRate this definition:5.0 / 1 vote

1. teleologynoun

   (philosophy) a doctrine explaining phenomena by their ends or purposes

WiktionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. teleologynoun

   The study of the purpose or design of natural occurrences.

2. teleologynoun

   An instance of such a design or purpose, usually in natural phenomena.

3. teleologynoun

   The use of a non-natural purpose or design to explain an occurrence.

4. Etymology: From τέλος + λόγος

WikipediaRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Teleology

   Teleology (from τέλος, telos, 'end,' 'aim,' or 'goal,' and λόγος, logos, 'explanation' or 'reason') or finality is a reason or an explanation for something which serves as a function of its end, its purpose, or its goal, as opposed to something which serves as a function of its cause.A purpose that is imposed by human use, such as the purpose of a fork to hold food, is called extrinsic. Natural teleology, common in classical philosophy, though controversial today, contends that natural entities also have intrinsic purposes, regardless of human use or opinion. For instance, Aristotle claimed that an acorn's intrinsic telos is to become a fully grown oak tree. Though ancient atomists rejected the notion of natural teleology, teleological accounts of non-personal or non-human nature were explored and often endorsed in ancient and medieval philosophies, but fell into disfavor during the modern era (1600–1900). In the late 18th century, Immanuel Kant used the concept of telos as a regulative principle in his Critique of Judgment (1790). Contemporary philosophers and scientists still debate whether teleological axioms are useful or accurate in proposing modern philosophies and scientific theories. An example of the reintroduction of teleology into modern language is the notion of an attractor. Another instance is when Thomas Nagel (2012), though not a biologist, proposed a non-Darwinian account of evolution that incorporates impersonal and natural teleological laws to explain the existence of life, consciousness, rationality, and objective value. Regardless, the accuracy can also be considered independently from the usefulness: it is a common experience in pedagogy that a minimum of apparent teleology can be useful in thinking about and explaining Darwinian evolution even if there is no true teleology driving evolution. Thus it is easier to say that evolution "gave" wolves sharp canine teeth because those teeth "serve the purpose of" predation regardless of whether there is an underlying non-teleologic reality in which evolution is not an actor with intentions. In other words, because human cognition and learning often rely on the narrative structure of stories – with actors, goals, and immediate (proximate) rather than ultimate (distal) causation (see also proximate and ultimate causation) – some minimal level of teleology might be recognized as useful or at least tolerable for practical purposes even by people who reject its cosmologic accuracy. Its accuracy is upheld by Barrow and Tipler (1986), whose citations of such teleologists as Max Planck and Norbert Wiener are significant for scientific endeavor.

Webster DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Teleologynoun

   the doctrine of the final causes of things

2. Teleologynoun

   the doctrine of design, which assumes that the phenomena of organic life, particularly those of evolution, are explicable only by purposive causes, and that they in no way admit of a mechanical explanation or one based entirely on biological science; the doctrine of adaptation to purpose

WikidataRate this definition:5.0 / 1 vote

1. Teleology

   A teleology is any philosophical account that holds that final causes exist in nature, meaning that design and purpose analogous to that found in human actions are inherent also in the rest of nature. The adjective "teleological" has a broader usage, for example in discussions where particular ethical theories or types of computer programs are sometimes described as teleological because they involve aiming at goals. Teleology was explored by Plato and Aristotle, by Saint Anselm during the 11th century AD, and later by Immanuel Kant in his Critique of Judgment. It was fundamental to the speculative philosophy of Hegel. A thing, process, or action is teleological when it is for the sake of an end, i.e., a telos or final cause. In general, it may be said that there are two types of final causes, which may be called intrinsic finality and extrinsic finality. ⁕A thing or action has an extrinsic finality when it is for the sake of something external to itself. In a way, people exhibit extrinsic finality when they seek the happiness of a child. If the external thing had not existed that action would not display finality. ⁕A thing or action has an intrinsic finality when it is for none other than its own sake. For example, one might try to be happy simply for the sake of being happy, and not for the sake of anything outside of that.

Chambers 20th Century DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Teleology

   tel-e-ol′ō-ji, n. the doctrine of the final causes of things.—adjs. Teleolog′ic, -al.—adv. Teleolog′ically.—ns. Teleol′ogism; Teleol′ogist. [Gr. telos, issue, logos, a discourse.]

The Nuttall EncyclopediaRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Teleology

   the doctrine of final causes, particularly the argument for the being and character of God from the being and character of His works, that the end reveals His purpose from the beginning, the end being regarded as the thought of God at the beginning, or the universe viewed as the realisation of Him and His eternal purpose.

Suggested ResourcesRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Teleology

   Teleology vs. Deontology -- In this Grammar.com article you will learn the differences between the words Teleology and Deontology.

Matched Categories

1. • Philosophical Doctrine
   • Philosophy

How to pronounce TELEOLOGY?

1. Alex

   US English

   David

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   Mark

   US English

   Daniel

   British

   Libby

   British

   Mia

   British

   Karen

   Australian

   Hayley

   Australian

   Natasha

   Australian

   Veena

   Indian

   Priya

   Indian

   Neerja

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   Zira

   US English

   Oliver

   British

   Wendy

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   Fred

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   Tessa

   South African

How to say TELEOLOGY in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of TELEOLOGY in Chaldean Numerology is: 2

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of TELEOLOGY in Pythagorean Numerology is: 8

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References

1. ^ Princeton's WordNet
   http://wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn?s=TELEOLOGY
2. ^ Wiktionary
   https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Teleology
3. ^ Wikipedia
   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teleology
4. ^ Webster Dictionary
   https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/TELEOLOGY
5. ^ Wikidata
   https://www.wikidata.org/w/index.php?search=TELEOLOGY
6. ^ Chambers 20th Century Dictionary
   https://www.gutenberg.org/files/37683/37683-h/37683-h.htm#:~:text=TELEOLOGY
7. ^ The Nuttall Encyclopedia
   https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/12342/pg12342-images.html#Teleology