anthropoteleological
|an-thro-po-te-le-o-lo-gi-cal|
🇺🇸
/ˌænθrəpəˌtɛliəˈlɑdʒɪkəl/
🇬🇧
/ˌænθrəpəˌtɛliəˈlɒdʒɪkəl/
human-centered purpose
Etymology
'anthropoteleological' originates from Greek, specifically the elements 'ánthrōpos' and 'télos' together with the suffix from 'logia'/'-logical', where 'ánthrōpos' meant 'human', 'télos' meant 'end' or 'purpose', and 'logos' meant 'word, reason, or study'.
'anthropoteleological' was formed in modern English by combining the prefix 'anthropo-' (from Greek 'ánthrōpos') with 'teleological' (from Greek 'télos' + 'logia' via Latin/Medieval usage). 'Teleology' entered philosophical English in the 17th–19th centuries, and the compound form arose later to describe human-centered teleological views.
Initially, components like 'teleology' referred broadly to the study or explanation of ends; over time the compound 'anthropoteleological' came to denote specifically ends or purposiveness ascribed with a focus on human purposes.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
relating to or based on the idea that natural processes or features have purposes or ends oriented toward human beings (anthropocentric teleology).
The philosopher criticized the anthropoteleological assumptions in the argument, arguing that nature need not be aimed at human ends.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Adjective 2
describing an interpretation, design, or policy that explicitly treats human welfare or human ends as the intended purpose of a system or practice.
The environmental plan was criticized for being overly anthropoteleological, prioritizing human convenience over ecosystem integrity.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/08/26 20:50