Entelechy

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Entelechy is a philosophical concept of Aristotle. The word traces to Latin, entelechia, from Greek enteles (complete), from telos (end, purpose, completion) and echein (to have).

It denotes realization as opposed to potentiality.

In some philosophical systems, it may denote a force propelling one to self-fulfillment. This concept occupies a central position in the metaphysics of Leibniz, and is closely related to his monadology. Each sentient entity contains its own entire universe within it, in a sense. Each sentient entity is a monad, an absolutely independent thing that has no contact with any other sentient entity except through the mediating agency of God.

In the biological beliefs known as vitalism living things are animated by an entelechy according to Hans Driesch.

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