telos etymology

Etymology:

• Greek: τέλος (telos)

Meaning:

• End, purpose, aim, goal
• Fulfillment, completion
• Outcome, result
• The final cause (in Aristotle's philosophy)

Origin:

The Greek word "telos" is believed to be derived from the Proto-Indo-European root "tel-" or "telh-," meaning "to bear, to endure, to attain." It can be traced back to Sanskrit terms such as "tulayati" (to weigh) and "tulya" (equal).

Variations and Cognates:

The word "telos" has given rise to various derivatives and cognates in different languages:

• English: teleology, teleonomy, teleological
• Latin: finis, finis ultimus
• French: fin, but
• Spanish: fin, término
• Italian: fine, scopo
• German: Ziel, Zweck
• Sanskrit: phalana (fruit, result)

Philosophical Context:

In philosophy, "telos" refers to the purpose or goal that drives an entity's development or existence. It is often associated with Aristotle's theory of final causes or teleology, which posits that all natural objects have an inherent purpose that guides their development. However, the concept of telos has been used in various philosophical traditions, including:

• Socratic-Platonic Tradition: Plato's "Theory of Forms" suggests that all things in the physical world strive towards an ideal form that exists in the realm of the Good.
• Aristotelian Tradition: Aristotle believed that all things possess an inherent telos that guides their development towards their natural end-state.
• Modern Philosophy: Philosophers such as Immanuel Kant and G.W.F. Hegel have explored the concept of telos in relation to human agency and the purpose of history.
• Process Philosophy: In process philosophy, telos is seen as a dynamic and evolving process rather than a fixed end-point.

telos relate terms

• entelechy

  Etymology Derived from Greek entelecheia ἐντελέχεια Meaning The rea

• telos

  Etymology Greek τέλος telos Meaning End purpose aim goal Fulfillment c

• homoioteleuton

  Etymology Homoioteleuton derives from two Greek words Homoios ὅμοιος mean

• homo

  Etymology The word homo comes from the Latin word homō meaning human being or man

• telos

  Etymology Greek τέλος telos Meaning End purpose aim goal Fulfillment c

• talisman

  Etymology Middle English talisman from Old French talisman Old French from Medieval

• finance

  Etymology of Finance The word finance originates from the Old French word finer m

• toll

  Etymology The word toll comes from the Middle English word tol which in turn derive

• philately

• liturgy

  Etymology Liturgy is derived from two Greek words Leitos meaning public or com

• matter

  Etymology The word matter comes from the Middle English term matere which is derive

• quench

  Etymology Quench ultimately comes from the Proto Indo European root sweŋ meaning to

• scepter

  Etymology The word scepter derives from the Old French word sceptre which in turn c

• shoe

  Etymology The word shoe comes from the Old English word scōh meaning footwear T

• month

  Etymology The word month originates from the Proto Indo European root men meaning