noun
teleology
A philosophical term referring to the explanation of phenomena by their purpose or end goal. Used in academic contexts.
アリストテレスの目的論は、自然現象を目的の観点から説明する。
Aristotle's teleology explains natural phenomena from the perspective of purpose.
Mechanism explains phenomena by physical causes, while 目的論 explains by purpose or final causes.
Compound of 目的 (purpose) and 論 (theory, discourse). A straightforward calque of the Western philosophical term 'teleology'.