Teleology Writ Large: In Search of New Optimization Principles in Nature Javier Sánchez-Cañizares Abstract Despite the endless eforts of fundamental physics, it is becoming increasingly under- stood that our most basic scientifc theories do not fully determine the existence of complex dynamical systems in nature. Te revival of optimization principles can be considered a response to mere bottom-up scientifc approaches which posit extremely rare boundary conditions of the universe and ad hoc coarse grainings of degrees of freedom in order to recover the classicality of the observed world. In this paper, afer making the case for the insurmountable obstacles confronting basic physical theories and obtaining some hints for a possible way out, we briefy review some of the cur- rently most promising optimization procedures trying to explain the emergence of the classical world and, more specifcally, of life and consciousness. We claim that all such procedures aim at and make room for new optimizing principles in which value and teleology are fundamental concepts for understanding the self-constitution of complex dynamical systems. Keywords complex dynamical systems, emergence, indetermination, optimization principles, teleology in nature, value in science. 1. Introduction It is generally assumed that the mechanistic and deterministic view of nature supported by t century physics has been superseded by the new perspec- tive provided by complex dynamical systems (CDS). Te scientifc paradigm of the st century is marked by the interconnectedness of diferent physical levels in nature, whose defnition is not always unambiguous but which allows for a description of specifc phenomena according to diferent methodological approaches. Physics, chemistry, biology, anthropology, and sociology are con- sidered the building blocks of our knowledge and, somehow, as autonomous disciplines. Yet nobody doubts that each of them maintains strong links with Cite as: Sánchez-Cañizares, J. (2020). Teleology Writ Large: In Search of New Optimization Principles in Nature. In M. Fuller, D. Evers, A. Runehov, K.-W. Saether, & B. Michollet (eds.), Studies in Science and Theology, Volume 17 (2019-2020): Are We Special? (pp. 327–343). Halle (Saalle): Martin-Luther- University Halle-Wittenberg.