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teleology

Pronunciation: /ˌtɛlɪˈɒlədʒi, ˌtiːl-/
Definition of teleology

noun (plural teleologies)

[mass noun] Philosophy
  • the explanation of phenomena by the purpose they serve rather than by postulated causes: no theory of history can do without teleology [count noun]:his theory of class consciousness is predicated on a teleology
  • Theology the doctrine of design and purpose in the material world.

Derivatives

teleologic

Pronunciation: /-əˈlɒdʒɪk/
adjective

teleological

Pronunciation: /-əˈlɒdʒɪk(ə)l/
adjective

teleologically

Pronunciation: /-əˈlɒdʒɪk(ə)li/
adverb

teleologism

noun

teleologist

noun

Origin:

mid 18th century (denoting the branch of philosophy that deals with ends or final causes): from modern Latin teleologia, from Greek telos 'end' + -logia (see -logy)

teleology in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of teleology in the US English dictionary

Nearby words

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