Good morning Everyone,
Hope my uninvited intrusion has some conducive value, pls allow me a squeeze - thank you !
I think I've used the term "teleological" in some of my write-ups a lot, roots of which can be found in antiquity philosophy. What it basically means is that there is a purpose and a meaning to all known phenomena. Flowing from it as it were, theories and ideologies that have sprung up in trying to rationalise and make it digestible for human consumption. In so doing, theoretical thinkers have coined specific terms, one of which is "karm". In its literal meaning, karm is "action", be that in deed or thought. The rationale behind such a conceptual tool has philosophical properties ascribed to it, that is, that all actions produce an effect [cause n effect]. And, that humans are distinct as a species for having the nuance to label actions and things as "good" or "bad" or right n wrong [moral law]. This as a result necessitates and obligates humans to have a framework within which human action can both be explained and understood. In other words, the action that leads us "up" the path is labelled "good" [value statement, in that it serves our need] and the action that leads us "down" is labelled as "bad" [again a value judgement, in that it goes against human need]. Human needs are biological and psychological, essential for human survival. Taken together to explain theoretical thinking behind Sikhism requires knowledge of both, its ideology and theory. Nanak provided a theory like any other theory with certain specific terms to carry forward meaning and purpose [teleology]. Nanak's premises were that there is the immortal soul, that God exists and that humans have a degree of freewill within which human action [karm] can be evaluated. In other words a moral necessity. And, since the question of God cannot have objective grounding and only subjective, it boils down to the fact, do you believe Nanak or you don't. It's that simple I'm afraid. Sikhism is therefore and rightly so, categorised as a system of "belief", confirming as it were the existence of Nanak's God, Ekonkar.
I'm sorry I've rushed, have an early morning meeting!
Take care - Ciao !