teleology

The philosophical interpretation of natural phenomena as exhibiting purpose or design.

The use of ultimate purpose or design as a means of explaining phenomena.

Belief in or the perception of purposeful development toward an end, as in history.

The doctrine of final causes; the theory of tendency to an end.

The doctrine of the final causes of things.

The study of the purpose or design of natural occurrences.

An instance of such a design or purpose, usually in natural phenomena.

The use of a non-natural purpose or design to explain an occurrence.

(philosophy) a doctrine explaining phenomena by their ends or purposes