Allotelic
Greek állos, other + télos, end
Allotelic refers to behavior or actions that are performed for external reasons or outcomes that are separate from the activity itself. The term describes activities that are undertaken primarily as means to achieve goals outside of the activity, rather than for the inherent satisfaction of the activity.
First principles
An allotelic act is done for the sake of something other than itself.
The activity is a means, and its value sits in a result outside it: the bonus, the grade, the applause. Take that result away and the reason to keep going goes with it. Many practices begin this way and only later become their own reward.
At its core, it asks:
- What is it for?Name the result the activity serves outside itself.
- What if the reward disappeared?If the activity would stop, it was only ever a means.
- Could the doing become the point?With practice, a means can turn into its own end.
Etymology
- ἄλλοςállos
- other, different
- τέλοςtélos
- end, purpose, goal
The word allotelic comes from the Greek ἄλλος (állos) meaning "other" or "different" and τέλος (télos) meaning "end" or "purpose." Combined, they form "directed toward other ends." It is a modern word, built as the counterpart of autotelic, from αὐτός (autós) meaning "self." Autotelic dates from the early 20th century; the psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi later used it for experience that is rewarding in itself.