teleonomy

noun

teleonomy

noun

/ˌtɛliˈɒnəmi/

Etymology From teleo- + -nomy. Coined by biologist Colin Pittendrigh in 1958, who wanted to limit the much older term "teleology" to actions planned by an agent who can internally model alternative futures with intention, purpose and foresight.

1

Usually The quality of living organisms of seeming to be organized towards the attainment of an end.

Evolutionary theory

Derived terms
teleonomic
Related terms
teleonomist

Entry derived from the Wiktionary, under licence CC BY-SA 4.0 — list of authors.