Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
nonteleological

nonteleological

9.9
Not based on the idea that things have a purpose or design
  • adjective
  • /ˌnɒnˌtɛlɪəˈlɒdʒɪkəl/
  • Specialized
: no teleológico
  • Atomism, of course, was an ancient doctrine, but it was revived at this time because of its nonteleological approach to nature.

Examples

  • However, as McDonough observes, "The concept of conatus as used by seventeenth-century mechanists was, in fact, by no means essentially nonteleological" ("The Heyday," 191).

    Academic text (2016)

  • The scientist adopted a nonteleological perspective, focusing solely on observable phenomena rather than the purpose behind them.

  • In philosophy, a nonteleological view emphasizes natural processes without attributing any predefined goal to them.

  • Many argue that evolution is fundamentally nonteleological, as it occurs without a specific direction or intended outcome.

Synonyms

dysteleological
vsnonteleological
  • Formal
9.9

Not having a purpose or end in nature

is neutral about purpose and not based on design ideas

Antonyms

teleological
  • Formal
3 9.9

Explaining things by the purpose they serve rather than their causes

How Teleological

teleological
  • Formal
3 9.9
nonteleological
  • Specialized
9.9
mechanistic
8 7.4

Surface Forms

nonteleological positive

Morphology

nonteleological = teleological (semi-transparent) = non + teleology + ical

The prefix 'non-' straightforwardly negates the adjective 'teleological', forming the expected opposite.

Etymology

The word nonteleological breaks into non- 'not', teleo- 'end' or 'goal', and -logical 'about reason', so it means 'not about purpose' and that's why a nonteleological explanation looks for causes rather than a final aim.