teleology

/tɛlɪˈɒlədʒi/

Definitions

1. noun

the study of the purposes or goals that an action is intended to achieve, or the branch of philosophy that deals with the nature of purpose, intention, and causation

“The philosopher’s work on teleology shed new light on the meaning of existence.”

Synonyms

  • intentionality
  • purposiveness
  • teleology

Antonyms

  • accidentality
  • fortuity