Term for "something that pursues goals" [closed]
Is there a word for "something that pursues goals"?
Animals pursue goals, but so do humans, and we can even say that bacteria pursue goals, or even governments and companies.
Solution 1:
An important concept here is that of teleology and telos:
Teleology or finality is a reason or explanation for something as a function of its end, purpose, or goal.
A telos (from the Greek τέλος for "end", "purpose", or "goal") is an end or purpose, in a fairly constrained sense used by philosophers such as Aristotle.
Per Merriam-Webster, the adjective form is telic:
- Tending toward an end or outcome
- Characterizing an action that moves toward a goal
So you could describe the telos of animals, humans and bacteria, or describe them as telic. Or you could be studying the teleology of them.
Solution 2:
I agree with Jason Bassford's 'goal-oriented'.
Purposive is an alternative synonym; in your context you could speak of purposive organisms.
Dictionary
having, showing, or acting with a purpose, intention, or design.
There is a branch of psychology called purposive behaviourism which includes humans and animals. Here a quote from the Wikipedia article:
This approach of Tolman's was first introduced in his book, Purposive Behavior in Animals and Men, published in 1932. To Tolman, it was obvious that all actions of behavior are goal-oriented, including those for animals.The main difference between behaviorism and Tolman's purposive behaviorism is that behavior is goal oriented.