What is entelechy?

Entelechy is a philosophical concept that was introduced by the ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle. It refers to the condition of being fully actualized or realized. In Aristotle's view, entelechy represents the telos or ultimate purpose of an object or an organism. It suggests that every living thing has an inherent potential for growth and development, which can only be actualized through a process of self-realization.

Entelechy is often associated with the concept of self-actualization, which was popularized by humanistic psychologist Abraham Maslow in the 1950s. According to Maslow, self-actualization involves realizing one's full potential and achieving a sense of fulfillment in life.

The idea of entelechy has also been used in various fields, including biology, where it refers to the innate capacity of an organism to develop and reach its full potential, as well as in physics, where it refers to the inherent capacity of a substance or object to transform itself into a more complex or organized state.

Overall, entelechy is a concept that emphasizes the importance of growth, development, and self-realization in a variety of contexts, ranging from philosophy to psychology to science.