entelechy

[ en-tel-uh-kee ]

/ ɛnˈtɛl ə ki /

a realization or actuality as opposed to a potentiality.

(in vitalist philosophy) a vital agent or force directing growth and life.

Origin of entelechy

1595–1605; < Late Latin entelechīa < Greek entelécheia, equivalent to en- en-² + tél(os) goal + éch(ein) to have + -eia -y³

en·te·lech·i·al

[en-tuh-lek-ee-uh l] /ˌɛn təˈlɛk i əl/, adjective

Digby rejects an internal agent, entelechy, or the Aristotelian formal and efficient causes.

Medical Investigation in Seventeenth Century England |Charles W. Bodemer
It is here that the relation of the hypothetic transformistic principle to our concept of entelechy is concerned.

The Science and Philosophy of the Organism |Hans Driesch
We could regard what is called catalysis solely as an agent in the service of entelechy.

The Science and Philosophy of the Organism |Hans Driesch
The same philosopher gave to the soul the generic name of 'Entelechy' or Act.

Theodicy |G. W. Leibniz

For Aristotle it was the substantial form of the body—the entelechy, but not a substance.

Tragic Sense Of Life |Miguel de Unamuno

entelechy

/ (ɛnˈtɛlɪkɪ) /

(in the philosophy of Aristotle) actuality as opposed to potentiality

(in the system of Leibnitz) the soul or principle of perfection of an object or person; a monad or basic constituent

something that contains or realizes a final cause, esp the vital force thought to direct the life of an organism

C17: from Late Latin entelechia, from Greek entelekheia, from en- ² + telos goal, completion + ekhein to have