teleologische

Teleologische is the adjective form of Teleologie, used in German to describe explanations, arguments, or approaches that attribute purpose, ends, or final causes to phenomena rather than explaining them solely by material or efficient causes. The root telos, meaning end or goal, gives teleology its sense of purpose-directed explanation.

In philosophy, teleology denotes the view that natural processes and living beings are directed toward ends. In Aristotle, the final cause is one of the four causes and central to understanding natural effects. In later medieval and early modern thought, teleological explanations remained influential in natural philosophy and theology, shaping how nature was interpreted in relation to purpose or design.

Modern science often favors mechanistic explanations, treating processes as governed by laws rather than purposes. Nonetheless, teleological language persists as a convenient way to describe function or goal-directed behavior. In biology, explanations of adaptation are sometimes described as teleonomic rather than strictly teleological, signaling purpose-like organization without implying conscious design.

In ethics and theology, teleology refers to end-based reasoning. Teleological ethics judges actions by their outcomes or towards particular ends (as in utilitarian approaches), while theological discussions may invoke design or final causes to argue for the existence or attributes of a higher order. The German usage of teleologische frequently appears in discussions of the philosophy of nature, metaphysics, ethics, and religious thought, reflecting the historical prominence of final causes in these domains.