Final Cause

Final cause is the idea that everything has a purpose or goal—the reason why something exists or is done. For example, the final cause of a knife is to cut, while the final cause of a seed is to grow into a plant. It’s about understanding the intended function or end goal of an object, process, or being. This concept, introduced by philosopher Aristotle, emphasizes that identifying the purpose behind something helps explain its existence and design. In essence, final cause is about understanding the "why" behind the "what."