a. [f. as prec. + -ICAL.] Of, pertaining to, or involving teleology; relating to ends or final causes; dealing with design or purpose, esp. in natural phenomena.
1809–10. Coleridge, Friend (1818), III. 180. A teleological ground in physics and physiology.
1847. Buch, trans. Hagenbach’s Hist. Doctr., I. 96. What is commonly called the physico-theological, or teleological proof—i.e. they infer the existence of a Creator from the works of creation.
1875. Sir W. Turner, in Encycl. Brit., I. 799/1. The special anatomy of an animal may be studied … (c) with reference to the function, use, or purpose performed by a part or structure…, termed Teleological or Physiological Anatomy.
1907. J. R. Illingworth, Doctr. Trin., xii. 248. The great teleological question … what is the end of man? what is the true purpose of life’s voyage?
Hence Teleologically adv., in a teleological manner; in relation to teleology.
1837. Whewell, Induct. Sc., III. 470 [trans. Kant, Urtheilskraft, p. 296]. No clue could exist for the observation of a kind of natural objects which can be considered teleologically under the conception of natural ends.
1842. De Quincey, in Blackw. Mag., LII. 730/2. Teleologically, that is, considered as means to an end—diamonds have as undeniably a value in use as any other article.
1907. J. R. Illingworth, Doctr. Trin., ix. 176. The context of a rational and teleologically ordered world.
