In Adlerian Psychology, *teleology*—the idea that humans act toward future goals—is a foundational principle. While this may seem like a modern innovation, its roots reach back to ancient Greek philosophy. This chapter traces the historical development of teleological thought, its decline in the age of mechanistic science, and its revival and transformation in the hands of Alfred Adler.
Teleology in Ancient Greek Philosophy: Aristotle’s “Telos”
The origins of teleology can be found in the work of the ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle. He believed that all things have an inherent purpose (*telos*). For example, an acorn does not randomly become an oak tree—it grows toward that end by nature.
This idea is closely tied to *vitalism*—the belief that life is not just shaped by external forces, but contains within it a self-directed power to grow and change.
To Aristotle, human organs like the eyes, ears, and hands were not merely physical structures, but tools that existed for a specific function or purpose.
At the time, asking “Why does this exist?”—in other words, a teleological question—was a natural part of understanding the world.
The Rise of Mechanism: Teleology’s Decline in Modern Science
The Scientific Revolution of the 16th and 17th centuries dramatically shifted this worldview. Thinkers like Galileo and Newton proposed that all natural phenomena could be explained through cause and effect.
This gave rise to *mechanism*—a view of nature as a giant machine. Rather than asking “Why?”, science began to focus on “How?”, leaving behind unseen purposes or intentions.
Newton’s mathematical success in predicting celestial movements cemented this shift, making causal, mechanistic explanations seem more “scientific” than purpose-based reasoning.
As a result, teleology was long dismissed in scientific circles as unscientific or irrational.
Teleology Reimagined: Adler’s 20th-Century Psychological Framework
In the 20th century, Alfred Adler revisited and redefined teleology—this time within the realm of psychology. He argued that human behavior cannot be understood without considering future-directed goals.
According to Adler, humans don’t act purely from cause and effect. Rather, we imagine who we want to become, and act with purpose to realize that vision.
This perspective liberated teleology from the confines of physics, allowing it to flourish in fields like psychotherapy, education, leadership, and social systems.
By asking not “Why did you act?” but “For what purpose did you choose this behavior?”, Adler provided a powerful tool for personal insight and self-directed growth.
Conclusion: The Modern Relevance of Teleology
From Aristotle to Adler, teleology has remained a powerful framework for understanding human nature—even as its form has evolved.
In our modern, information-saturated world, it’s easy to lose sight of the motives behind our actions. Teleology helps us return to a vital question: “What future am I really aiming for?”
Adlerian Psychology grounds itself in this view—not to limit us, but to empower us. By shifting focus from past causes to future goals, we reclaim the freedom to define who we want to become.
*All images used in this article were generated with Midjourney.*
