Teleology
in philosophy, a branch of metaphysics; the doctrine of final causes and of the uses which every part of nature was designed to subserve; the argument from design in proof of the existence of God. The expression "final causes" was introduced by Aristotle, and the extension which he gave to the idea of causation drew his followers away from studying the proper object of physical science. Bacon said on the subject: "Inquiry into final causes is fruitless, and like a virgin dedicated to God, produces nothing." The context shows that his objection was not to the investigation of final causes in themselves, but to the supposition that this study was a branch of physics. Descartes objected to the study of final causes, believing that to do so successfully was beyond the faculties of man; and most of the French philosophers of the 18th century for various reasons ignored teleology. Modern physical science confines itself rigorously as its name suggests, to the investigation of physical causes. Also, the doctrine of ends in morality, prudence or policy, and æsthetics.