teleonomyn.
/ˌtiːlɪˈɒnəmi/, /ˌtɛlɪˈɒnəmi/, U.S. /ˌtɛliˈɑnəmi/, /ˌtiliˈɑnəmi/ Biology.
The property of living systems of being organized in such a way that their structures and processes tend towards the attainment of particular ends or outcomes.The term was introduced to avoid the imputation of purpose as an explanation of biological adaptation; cf. teleology n. 3.
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the world > life > biology > organism > [noun] > organization towards overall purpose
teleonomy1958
1958 C. S. Pittendrigh in A. Roe & G. G. Simpson Behavior & Evol. xviii. 391 (heading) Adaptation: teleonomy versus teleology.
1973 P. Pirlot & R. Bernier in M. Bunge Methodol. Unity Sci. iv. 76 The word ‘teleonomy’..has gained an additional favour since two Nobel laureates, Jacob and Monod, have used it in an attempt to give purposiveness a statut légal, a legal or lawful status in biology.
1977 P. B. Medawar & J. S. Medawar Life Sci. i. 11 Biologists prefer to use the genteelism teleonomy with merely descriptive connotations to signify the goal-directed or ‘as-if-purposive’ character of biological performances.
2014 A. Trewavas Plant Behaviour & Intelligence iv. 31 Teleonomy was generated by selection only of those cells that contained the necessary processes to ensure continued independent survival.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2016; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1958