telosthe

Telosthe is a theoretical concept used in philosophy of technology and speculative fiction to describe the embedding of teleology into artificial or organizational systems. It refers to frameworks that guide actions by an internalized end state or purpose (telos) rather than only by external instructions or reactive rules. The term is not a standard scientific term but a scholarly coinage used to discuss how systems could be designed to pursue a defined end more coherently.

Etymology: Derived from Greek telos meaning end or goal, with a nominalizing suffix to form a noun.

Usage: Telosthe differentiates from purely goal-driven programming by emphasizing that the telos shapes perception, planning, and decision-making across levels of a system. In discussions, researchers distinguish weak telosthe (teleology applied within a subsystems) from strong telosthe (a system whose architecture or learning process internalizes and preserves a broader telos). It intersects with debates on value alignment, responsible AI, and design ethics.

Implications: Proponents argue telosthe could improve consistency, long-term planning, and moral accountability. Critics warn that poorly specified teloi can cause unintended consequences, governance challenges, and rigidity in dynamic environments.

In fiction and thought experiments, telosthe serves as a device to explore how entities might integrate purpose into autonomy, from autonomous vehicles to self-organizing institutions. It remains a theoretical construct rather than an established framework.