Teleology: An ascription of purpose or design to natural or behavioral acts that extends beyond their primary or immediate function. For example, a heart functions to circulate blood, but its teleological purpose is to keep us in circulation so that we can go to work, pay taxes, watch TV, propogate our genes, etc. Teleology is a defining characteristic of intellectual disciplines that are recognized as unscientific or should be, like religion, astrology, evolutionary psychology, and retirement planning.
