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Teleology vs Mechanism - What's the difference?

teleology | mechanism |

In philosophy|lang=en terms the difference between teleology and mechanism

is that teleology is (philosophy) the study of the purpose or design of natural occurrences while mechanism is (philosophy) a theory that all natural phenomena can be explained by physical causes.

As nouns the difference between teleology and mechanism

is that teleology is (philosophy) the study of the purpose or design of natural occurrences while mechanism is within a machine or machinery; any mechanical means for the conversion or control of motion, or the transmission or control of power.

teleology

English

(wikipedia teleology)

Noun

(teleologies)
  • (philosophy) The study of the purpose or design of natural occurrences.
  • (by extension) An instance of such a design or purpose, usually in natural phenomena.
  • * 2011 , Paul A. Rahe, Truths You Cannot Utter :
    • In short, what every student of biology knows – that within nature there is a teleology having to do with the survival of the species which underpins the distinction between the two sexes and produces between them a natural affinity for one another – no surgeon who knows what is good for him may now say.
  • The use of a non-natural purpose or design to explain an occurrence.

    • Related terms

    * teleologic * teleological * teleologically * teleologist

    mechanism

    English

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • Within a machine or machinery; any mechanical means for the conversion or control of motion, or the transmission or control of power.
  • Any combination of cams, gears, links, belts, chains and logical mechanical elements.
  • * {{quote-magazine, date=2012-03
    • , author=(Henry Petroski) , title=Opening Doors , volume=100, issue=2, page=112-3 , magazine= citation , passage=A doorknob of whatever roundish shape is effectively a continuum of levers, with the axis of the latching mechanism —known as the spindle—being the fulcrum about which the turning takes place.}}
  • A group of objects or parts that interact together. (as in Political machine )
  • A mental, physical or chemical process.
  • (philosophy) A theory that all natural phenomena can be explained by physical causes.

    • Derived terms

    * defense mechanism * reaction mechanism