Teleological

Teleological
Serving an ultimate purpose in its design. For example, "What is the true purpose of the nose?" That is a teleological question. For another example, to say that all evolutionary changes occur for a definite purpose is a teleological explanation of evolution. "Teleological" comes from ancient Greek roots but did not enter English until the 18th century. It is a compound of the Greek "tele-, telos," meaning "end or purpose" + the ending "logos" meaning "the science or study of" = the study of the ends or purposes.

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te·le·o·log·i·cal .tel-ē-ə-'läj-i-kəl, .tēl- also te·le·o·log·ic -'läj-ik adj exhibiting or relating to design or purpose esp. in nature
te·le·o·log·i·cal·ly -i-k(ə-)lē adv

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te·leo·log·i·cal (te″le-ə-logґĭ-kəl) 1. pertaining to teleology. 2. serving an ultimate purpose in development.

Medical dictionary. 2011.

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  • Teleological — Te le*o*log ic*al, a. [Cf. F. t[ e]l[ e]ologique.] 1. (Biol.) Of or pertaining to teleology, or the doctrine of design. [1913 Webster] 2. showing evidence of design or purpose, especially in natural phenomena. [PJC] {Te le*o*log ic*al*ly}, adv.… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • teleological — argument teleology …   Philosophy dictionary

  • Teleological ethics — (Greek telos, “end”; logos, “science”) is a theory of morality that derives duty or moral obligation from what is good or desirable as an end to be achieved. It is opposed to deontological ethics (from the Greek deon, “duty”), which holds that… …   Wikipedia

  • Teleological development of religion — Teleological developmentFrom a religious viewpoint, there are several possibilities to account for the historical development of religion. Religions can consider themselves founded, with a founding figure establishing a doctrine based on… …   Wikipedia

  • Teleological argument — A teleological or design argument[1][2][3] is an argument for the existence of God. The argument is based on an interpretation of teleology wherein purpose and intelligent design appear to exist in Nature beyond the scope of any such human… …   Wikipedia

  • teleological ethics — Theory that derives duty from what is valuable as an end, in a manner diametrically opposed to deontological ethics. Teleological ethics holds that the basic standard of duty is the contribution that an action makes to the realization of nonmoral …   Universalium

  • teleological argument — Metaphys. the argument for the existence of God based on the assumption that order in the universe implies an orderer and cannot be a natural feature of the universe. Also called argument from design, teleological proof. * * * …   Universalium

  • Teleological behaviorism — (not to be confused with behavioralism of political science) is an approach to psychology based on the proposition that behavior can be researched scientifically without recourse to inner mental states. It is a form of materialism, denying any… …   Mini philosophy glossary

  • teleological — also teleologic adjective Date: 1798 exhibiting or relating to design or purpose especially in nature • teleologically adverb …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • teleological — See teleology. * * * …   Universalium

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