Teleonomy

Teleonomy is the quality of exhibiting purposefulness and of goal-directedness of structures and functions in living organisms brought about and causing natural processes like natural selection. The term derives from two Greek words, τέλος, from τελε-, ("end", "goal", "purpose") and νόμος nomos ("law"). Teleonomy is thought to derive from evolutionary history, adaptation for reproductive success, and/or the operation of a program. Teleonomy is related to programmatic or computational aspects of purpose.