Heterotelism

/ˌhɛtərəʊˈtɛlɪzəm/ noun

Definition

A philosophical or biological concept where a system or organism moves toward or serves multiple different purposes or endpoints.

Etymology

From 'heterotelic' with the '-ism' suffix. A rare philosophical term used in discussions of evolution and goal-directed systems.

Kelly Says

Heterotelism explains how your body can simultaneously pursue survival, reproduction, and pleasure-seeking—multiple conflicting 'purposes' that evolution stacked on top of each other, which is why you're simultaneously a complicated mess of competing drives.

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