The doctrine that natural processes, for example evolution, are directed towards some goal.
（终极）目的论，终极因论
Example sentencesExamples
But radical finalism is quite as unacceptable, and for the same reason.
However, Bergson continues, the teleological approach of traditional finalism equally makes genuine creation of the new impossible, since it entails, just as mechanism, that the ‘whole is given.’
The adoption of a similar epistemology would be disruptive for historiographies that are characterized by a strong sense of finalism.
The theory we shall put forward in this book will therefore necessarily partake of finalism to a certain extent.
Derivatives
finalistic
adjectivefʌɪn(ə)ˈlɪstɪk
A taxonomy of social cognitions is suggested comprising three classes: causal, evaluative and finalistic thinking.
Example sentencesExamples
During this period of time no serious and efficacious attempt of finalistic therapy is put into practice.