teleology

One entry found for teleology.

Main Entry: te·le·ol·o·gy
Pronunciation: tel--äl--j, tl-
Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): plural -gies
1 a : the study of evidences of design in nature b : a doctrine (as in vitalism) that ends are immanent in nature c : a doctrine explaining phenomena by final causes
2 : the fact or character attributed to nature or natural processes of being directed toward an end or shaped by a purpose
3 : the use of design or purpose as an explanation of natural phenomena