Greek word, meaning "end" or "purpose." Teleology is the study of the ends of things, the ultimate purpose of things, the proper methods for determining the purpose of things. Used in philosophy to argue about the ultimate purpose of a thing, not it's proximate purpose. A baker's proximate purpose, or the next thing that he intends to do, is to get these baguettes in to the oven. Their ultimate telos is debatable, even by the baker themselves. Are they here to feed people? Are they a rational mover in the local economy? Are they an image of the invisible God, placed here to bring glory to Him? Are they simply trying to feed their family, with no higher purpose ascribed to their activity? From multiple perspectives, the telos of the baker could be all of these.