Teleology
/ˌtɛliˈɒlədʒi/noun
The study of purpose, ends, or goal-directed explanation in nature or human action.
Did you know?Teleology comes from Greek telos, meaning “end” or “purpose,” a word philosophers used to ask whether nature itself is secretly goal-driven.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
télos
“end, completion, fulfillment, purpose”
Ancient Greek
Greek
-logía
“study of, discourse”
Early Modern Latin
Latin
teleologia
“doctrine of final causes or ends”
18th Century
English
teleology
“the doctrine that explains things by their purposes or ends”
Modern English
English
teleology
“explanation of phenomena in terms of purpose or goal-directedness”
Explore more surprising origins