The kind of action that living organisms distinctively embody and enact in an effort to satisfy their needs. I frequently use this formulation. End-directed action of organisms exists.1 See LIVING ACTION (LAW OF), LAW (FUNDAMENTAL, PHILOSOPHICAL).
Elaboration
Organisms exercise their capacities as means to achieve ends in an effort to satisfy their needs. Nonliving things act, but not for ends, and lack needs.
The concept "end-directed action" ultimately can be defined only ostensively. See DEFINITION (OSTENSIVE).
Notes
1Although I characterize its nature differently, I did start thinking seriously about end-directed action in major part thanks to Ayn Rand's discussion of life's nature in her speech, "The Objectivist Ethics." This speech was reprinted in her book, The Virtue of Selfishness.
Site by Axel Designs