Nonteleological

Nonteleological refers to explanations, theories, or descriptions that do not assume or imply purposes, goals, or final causes. It stands in opposition to teleology, which explains phenomena by reference to an end state, function, or design. Nonteleological accounts emphasize mechanisms, causal laws, or descriptive regularities rather than intentional directions.

In philosophy, nonteleological approaches reject the idea that natural processes are directed toward ends. In the natural sciences, most explanations are nonteleological: phenomena are described in terms of physical, chemical, or statistical causation rather than aims or purposes. However, some domains use teleological language to discuss functions or roles, especially in biology, where debates persist about whether features have intrinsic purposes or are best understood through evolutionary history and mechanical causes. Terminology such as teleonomy is sometimes used to describe apparent goal-directedness produced by natural selection, without implying conscious design.

Common examples of nonteleological explanations include planetary motion explained by gravity, chemical reactions explained by reaction kinetics, and climate patterns explained by atmospheric dynamics. In biology, a nonteleological view would frame the heart’s pumping function in terms of physiology and electrical signals rather than as an end-oriented purpose.

Overall, nonteleological is a descriptive stance about explanation that avoids attributing purposeful ends to natural processes, aligning more with mechanistic, laws-based, or historical accounts. See also teleology, mechanism, and teleonomy.