entelechy

  1. Noun.  (context, Aristotelian philosophy) The complete actualization and final form of a potency or potentiality, or of a conception.
  2. Noun.  A particular type of motivation, need for self-determination, and inner strength directing life and growth to become all one is capable of being. It is the need to actualize one’s beliefs. It is having a personal vision and being able to actualize that vision from within.
  3. Noun.  Something complex that emerges when you put a large number of simple objects together.

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This entry was last updated on RefTopia from its source on 3/20/2012.