Definition of: teleology

(tel′ē·ol′ə·jē, tē′lē-) noun
1. The branch of cosmology that treats of final causes. See FINAL CAUSE.
2. The philosophical and biological doctrine of design which holds that the phenomena of organic life and development can be explained by conscious or purposive causes directed to definite ends and not by mechanical causes; vitalism as opposed to mechanism.
3. The explanation of nature in terms of utility or purpose, especially divine purpose; the study of a creative design in the processes of nature. [<NL teleologia <Gk. telos, teleos end + logos discourse]
—tel′e·o·log′i·cal (-ə·loj′i·kəl) or tel′e·o·log′ic adjective
—tel′e·o·log′i·cal·ly adverb
—tel′e·ol′o·gist noun