teleology

is a process of self-negation. Something attains true reality only when purged of its immediacy, when it possesses no attribute that does not express the concept itself.

Indeed, far from adopting an Aristotelian notion of teleological self-development, Hegel defines teleology as a process of self-negation.' Something attains true reality only when purged of its immediacy, when it possesses no attribute that does not express the concept itself' (Dialectics, Politics, and the Contemporary Value of Hegel's Practical Philosophy By Andrew Buchwalter)

is a top down principle (a universal law imposed on basic substances or processes).

for Nagel teleology is a top down principle (a universal law imposed on basic substances or processes),

is the idea that nature does not make grass to feed cows, and cows to feed men, she makes grass in order that there should be grass, and so on.

For Kant, 'The teleology of nature is an internal teleology, not an external: she does not make grass to feed cows, and cows to feed men, she makes grass in order that there should be grass , and so on' (Collingwood The Idea of History 98). he goes on to argue that knowledge is necessarily cumulative so, 'the development of man's reason is a purpose that can be fully realized only in the hisotry of the human race and not in an individual life' (collingwood 98).

is theology: God is not a 'because,' but rather an 'in order to'.

I would say that teleology is theology, and that God is not a 'because,' but rather an 'in order to.' Miguel de Unamuno

teleology, n.Definitions

teleology