What does teleology refer to in the context of the discussed philosophy?

• A. The study of ends or final causes
• B. The study of duties
• C. The study of virtue
• D. The study of happiness

Answer: (A)

Teleology is the study of ends or final causes. In ethics, it looks at what an action is aimed at achieving and judges its morality by the outcome or goal it serves. This focus on consequences distinguishes teleological approaches from deontology, which centers on duties or rules, and from virtue ethics, which centers on character and virtues. While some teleological theories aim for the best outcome, such as maximizing well-being, the core idea is that morality is evaluated by the ends rather than by the duties or the intrinsic nature of the act itself.