--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Some form of natural teleology, a type of…" description: "\"“Some form of natural teleology, a type of explanation whose intelligibility I briefly defended in the last chapter, would be an alternative to a mirac..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1ae/thomas-nagel-9440_divine-intervention_some-form-of-natural-teleology-a-type-of_3040151.jpg" --- # Some form of natural teleology, a type of explanation… ![“Some form of natural teleology, a type of explanation whose intelligibility I briefly defended in the last chapter, would be an alternative to a miracle— either in the sense of a wildly improbable fluke or in the sense of a divine intervention in the natural order. The tendency for life to form…” quote by Thomas Nagel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1ae/thomas-nagel-9440_divine-intervention_some-form-of-natural-teleology-a-type-of_3040151.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1ae/thomas-nagel-9440_divine-intervention_some-form-of-natural-teleology-a-type-of_3040151.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1ae/thomas-nagel-9440_divine-intervention_some-form-of-natural-teleology-a-type-of_3040151.jpg) > ““Some form of natural teleology, a type of explanation whose intelligibility I briefly defended in the last chapter, would be an alternative to a miracle— either in the sense of a wildly improbable fluke or in the sense of a divine intervention in the natural order. The tendency for life to form may be a basic feature of the natural order, not explained by the nonteleological laws of physics and chemistry. This seems like an admissible conjecture given the available evidence. And once there are beings who can respond to value, the rather different teleology of intentional action becomes part of the historical picture , resulting in the creation of new value. The universe has become not only conscious and aware of itself but capable in some respects of choosing its path into the future—though all three, the consciousness, the knowledge, and the choice, are dispersed over a vast crowd of beings, acting both individually and collectively.”” [Thomas Nagel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-nagel/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote suggests that life’s tendency to arise may be an inherent feature of the universe, offering a natural teleology that complements or replaces miraculous explanations, and that conscious beings can create new values and influence future directions. **In simple terms:** Life may naturally arise and shape its own future. Key Takeaway Recognize the role of conscious agents in shaping reality. Themes philosophy science consciousness teleology value Mood thoughtful inquisitive speculative Type philosophical theoretical reflective When to use this quote - research in astrobiology - ethical AI development - environmental policy - education on critical thinking - public discourse on science and religion Key Concepts natural teleology emergent properties intentional action collective agency Questions to Reflect On - Can natural teleology be empirically distinguished from chance? - How does collective consciousness affect moral responsibility? A Different Perspective The claim relies on speculative reasoning without definitive empirical support. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Different Teleology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/different-teleology-5007232/) [Divine intervention](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/divine-intervention/) [Laws of physics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/laws-of-physics/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Natural order](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/natural-order/) [Natural Teleology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/natural-teleology-3508903/) [Nature](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nature/) [Philosophy of Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosophy-of-mind/) [Teleology Intentional](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/teleology-intentional-5007231/) [Teleology Type](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/teleology-type-5007233/) ## Related quotes > [“In either case, natural teleology would mean that the universe is rationally governed in more than one way—not only through the universal quantitative laws…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-nagel/in-either-case-natural-teleology-would-mean-that-the-universe-is/) [Thomas Nagel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-nagel/) > [“I am drawn to a fourth alternative, natural teleology, or teleological bias, as an account of the existence of the biological possibilities on which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-nagel/i-am-drawn-to-a-fourth-alternative-natural-teleology-or-teleological/) [Thomas Nagel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-nagel/) > [“As a part of the holy trinity, Jesus was regarded as divine, and in predominant Christian belief this divinity was not compatible with human…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-stearns/as-a-part-of-the-holy-trinity-jesus-was-regarded-as-divine-and-in/) [Peter Stearns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-stearns/) > [“Before you die, give some serious thought to vowing holy disobedience whenever necessary. Discerning and knowing why one would choose to disobey is by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karol-jackowski/before-you-die-give-some-serious-thought-to-vowing-holy-disobedience/) [Karol Jackowski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karol-jackowski/) > [“Let them stone you with their words, thoughts and misperceptions that are based on false doctrines. Allow them to continue to believe that they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ulonda-faye/let-them-stone-you-with-their-words-thoughts-and-misperceptions-that/) [Ulonda Faye](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ulonda-faye/) > [The belief that rational and quantifiable disciplines such as science can be used to perfect human society is no less absurd than a belief…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-hedges/the-belief-that-rational-and-quantifiable-disciplines-such-as-science/) [Chris Hedges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-hedges/) > [“With God, there’s always an appointed time for things, and when you put Him first, trust in His timing, and keep the faith, miracles…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/germany-kent/with-god-there-s-always-an-appointed-time-for-things-and-when-you-put/) [Germany Kent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/germany-kent/) > [“I don’t share your luxury. I believe in karma. I make karma happen. I rain down karma on my enemies.” “We are the progeny…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/todd-d-boddy/i-don-t-share-your-luxury-i-believe-in-karma-i-make-karma-happen-i/) [Todd D. Boddy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/todd-d-boddy/) > [“You start to live when you commit your life to cause higher than yourself. You must learn to depend on divine power for the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-giftyakita/you-start-to-live-when-you-commit-your-life-to-cause-higher-than/) [Lailah GiftyAkita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-giftyakita/) > [I have always had my doubts about any form of divine intervention in sports contests. The power of prayer may be remarkable in many…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-ebert/i-have-always-had-my-doubts-about-any-form-of-divine-intervention-in/) [Roger Ebert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-ebert/) > [Talk about divine intervention. I can't even tell you how blessed I feel.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khandi-alexander/talk-about-divine-intervention-i-can-t-even-tell-you-how-blessed-i/) [Khandi Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khandi-alexander/) > [“There is one question George is asked about life and art and which is more important, and George said art is more important because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-haring/there-is-one-question-george-is-asked-about-life-and-art-and-which-is/) [Keith Haring](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-haring/) > [“Fret not for all of your trials and tribulations have not been in vain, you are one of the chosen! You are divinely guided!…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/constance-delores-burrell/fret-not-for-all-of-your-trials-and-tribulations-have-not-been-in/) [Constance Delores Burrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/constance-delores-burrell/) > [“No. No!” he says. “I . . .” He looks wildly around the room. For inspiration? For divine intervention? I don’t know. “You can’t…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-l-james/no-no-he-says-i-he-looks-wildly-around-the-room-for-inspiration-for/) [E.L. James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-l-james/) > [The acting thing is so beyond my control. Acting isn't mine. You're like a tiny piece in this big, corporate mechanism that needs chemistry…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sandra-bullock/the-acting-thing-is-so-beyond-my-control-acting-isn-t-mine-you-re/) [Sandra Bullock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sandra-bullock/) ## More by Thomas Nagel > [every subjective phenomenon is essentially connected with a single point of view, and it seems inevitable that an objective, physical theory will abandon that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-nagel/every-subjective-phenomenon-is-essentially-connected-with-a-single/) [Thomas Nagel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-nagel/) > [Reason is universal because no attempted challenge to its results can avoid appealing to reason in the end-by claiming, for example, that what was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-nagel/reason-is-universal-because-no-attempted-challenge-to-its-results-can/) [Thomas Nagel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-nagel/) > [“A comprehensively reductive conception is favored by the belief that the propensity for the development of organisms with a subjective view must have been…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-nagel/a-comprehensively-reductive-conception-is-favored-by-the-belief-that/) [Thomas Nagel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-nagel/) > [A theory of motivation is defective if it renders intelligible behaviour which is not intelligible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-nagel/a-theory-of-motivation-is-defective-if-it-renders-intelligible/) [Thomas Nagel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-nagel/) > [It isn't just that I don't believe in God, and naturally, hope there is no God. I don't want there to be a God;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-nagel/it-isn-t-just-that-i-don-t-believe-in-god-and-naturally-hope-there-is/) [Thomas Nagel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-nagel/) > [What is it like to be a bat? What is it like for a bat to be a bat?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-nagel/what-is-it-like-to-be-a-bat-what-is-it-like-for-a-bat-to-be-a-bat/) [Thomas Nagel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-nagel/) > [To look for a single general theory of how to decide the right thing to do is like looking for a single theory of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-nagel/to-look-for-a-single-general-theory-of-how-to-decide-the-right-thing/) [Thomas Nagel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-nagel/) > [“In speaking of the fear of religion, I don’t mean to refer to the entirely reasonable hostility toward certain established religions and religious institutions,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-nagel/in-speaking-of-the-fear-of-religion-i-don-t-mean-to-refer-to-the/) [Thomas Nagel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-nagel/) > [Philosophy is the childhood of the intellect, and a culture that tries to skip it will never grow up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-nagel/philosophy-is-the-childhood-of-the-intellect-and-a-culture-that-tries/) [Thomas Nagel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-nagel/) > [Common sense doesn't have the last word in ethics or anywhere else, but it has, as J. L. Austin said about ordinary language, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-nagel/common-sense-doesn-t-have-the-last-word-in-ethics-or-anywhere-else/) [Thomas Nagel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-nagel/) > [“I am drawn to a fourth alternative, natural teleology, or teleological bias, as an account of the existence of the biological possibilities on which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-nagel/i-am-drawn-to-a-fourth-alternative-natural-teleology-or-teleological/) [Thomas Nagel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-nagel/) > [“The existence of consciousness is both one of the most familiar and one of the most astounding things about the world. No conception of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-nagel/the-existence-of-consciousness-is-both-one-of-the-most-familiar-and/) [Thomas Nagel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-nagel/) > [“Are there any alternatives? Well, there is the hypothesis that this universe is not unique, but that all possible universes exist, and we find…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-nagel/are-there-any-alternatives-well-there-is-the-hypothesis-that-this/) [Thomas Nagel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-nagel/) > [If we tried to rely entirely on reason, and pressed it hard, our lives and beliefs would collapse - a form of madness that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-nagel/if-we-tried-to-rely-entirely-on-reason-and-pressed-it-hard-our-lives/) [Thomas Nagel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-nagel/) > [Eventually, I believe, current attempts to understand the mind by analogy with man-made computers that can perform superbly some of the same external tasks…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-nagel/eventually-i-believe-current-attempts-to-understand-the-mind-by/) [Thomas Nagel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-nagel/) [Explore all 72 Thomas Nagel quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-nagel/) ## More Divine intervention quotes > [The acting thing is so beyond my control. Acting isn't mine. You're like a tiny piece in this big, corporate mechanism that needs chemistry…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sandra-bullock/the-acting-thing-is-so-beyond-my-control-acting-isn-t-mine-you-re/) [Sandra Bullock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sandra-bullock/) > [“No. No!” he says. “I . . .” He looks wildly around the room. For inspiration? For divine intervention? I don’t know. “You can’t…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-l-james/no-no-he-says-i-he-looks-wildly-around-the-room-for-inspiration-for/) [E.L. James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-l-james/) > [“Fret not for all of your trials and tribulations have not been in vain, you are one of the chosen! You are divinely guided!…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/constance-delores-burrell/fret-not-for-all-of-your-trials-and-tribulations-have-not-been-in/) [Constance Delores Burrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/constance-delores-burrell/) > [“There is one question George is asked about life and art and which is more important, and George said art is more important because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-haring/there-is-one-question-george-is-asked-about-life-and-art-and-which-is/) [Keith Haring](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-haring/) > [Talk about divine intervention. I can't even tell you how blessed I feel.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khandi-alexander/talk-about-divine-intervention-i-can-t-even-tell-you-how-blessed-i/) [Khandi Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khandi-alexander/) > [I have always had my doubts about any form of divine intervention in sports contests. The power of prayer may be remarkable in many…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-ebert/i-have-always-had-my-doubts-about-any-form-of-divine-intervention-in/) [Roger Ebert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-ebert/) > [“You start to live when you commit your life to cause higher than yourself. You must learn to depend on divine power for the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-giftyakita/you-start-to-live-when-you-commit-your-life-to-cause-higher-than/) [Lailah GiftyAkita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-giftyakita/) > [“I don’t share your luxury. I believe in karma. I make karma happen. I rain down karma on my enemies.” “We are the progeny…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/todd-d-boddy/i-don-t-share-your-luxury-i-believe-in-karma-i-make-karma-happen-i/) [Todd D. Boddy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/todd-d-boddy/) > [“With God, there’s always an appointed time for things, and when you put Him first, trust in His timing, and keep the faith, miracles…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/germany-kent/with-god-there-s-always-an-appointed-time-for-things-and-when-you-put/) [Germany Kent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/germany-kent/) > [The belief that rational and quantifiable disciplines such as science can be used to perfect human society is no less absurd than a belief…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-hedges/the-belief-that-rational-and-quantifiable-disciplines-such-as-science/) [Chris Hedges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-hedges/) > [“Let them stone you with their words, thoughts and misperceptions that are based on false doctrines. Allow them to continue to believe that they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ulonda-faye/let-them-stone-you-with-their-words-thoughts-and-misperceptions-that/) [Ulonda Faye](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ulonda-faye/) > [“Before you die, give some serious thought to vowing holy disobedience whenever necessary. Discerning and knowing why one would choose to disobey is by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karol-jackowski/before-you-die-give-some-serious-thought-to-vowing-holy-disobedience/) [Karol Jackowski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karol-jackowski/) > [“As a part of the holy trinity, Jesus was regarded as divine, and in predominant Christian belief this divinity was not compatible with human…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-stearns/as-a-part-of-the-holy-trinity-jesus-was-regarded-as-divine-and-in/) [Peter Stearns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-stearns/) > [“God is our great helper,shelter, provider and protector.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/god-is-our-great-helper-shelter-provider-and-protector/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [I believe in divine intervention.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lachanze/i-believe-in-divine-intervention/) [LaChanze](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lachanze/) [Browse all 102 Divine intervention quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/divine-intervention/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Some form of natural teleology, a type of explanation whose intelligibility I briefly defended in the last chapter, would be an alternative to a miracle— either in the sense of a wildly improbable fluke or in the sense of a divine intervention in the natural order. The tendency for life to form may be a basic feature of the natural order, not explained by the nonteleological laws of physics and chemistry. This seems like an admissible conjecture given the available evidence. And once there are beings who can respond to value, the rather different teleology of intentional action becomes part of the historical picture , resulting in the creation of new value. The universe has become not only conscious and aware of itself but capable in some respects of choosing its path into the future—though all three, the consciousness, the knowledge, and the choice, are dispersed over a vast crowd of beings, acting both individually and collectively.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Thomas Nagel" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-nagel/some-form-of-natural-teleology-a-type-of-explanation-whose/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Divine intervention" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-nagel/some-form-of-natural-teleology-a-type-of-explanation-whose/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1ae/thomas-nagel-9440_divine-intervention_some-form-of-natural-teleology-a-type-of_3040151.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1ae/thomas-nagel-9440_divine-intervention_some-form-of-natural-teleology-a-type-of_3040151.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1ae/thomas-nagel-9440_divine-intervention_some-form-of-natural-teleology-a-type-of_3040151.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Some form of natural teleology, a type of explanation whose intelligibility I briefly defended in the last…” — Thomas Nagel", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Thomas Nagel", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-nagel/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“Some form of natural teleology, a...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-nagel/some-form-of-natural-teleology-a-type-of-explanation-whose/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-nagel/some-form-of-natural-teleology-a-type-of-explanation-whose/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```