# goal (purpose)

a needed state that differs from a state

- Computed level: L6 (depth in the emergence graph, not abstraction)
- Status: review  ·  Domain: general everyday sense  ·  Arena: goal

## Emergence
**Emerges from:** [state](https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-state.condition), [difference](https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-difference.relation), [need](https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-need.psychological), [work](https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-work.effort)

**Through:** need and work to a state that differs from a state together be the goal

**Novel properties:**
- future orientation
- motivated directionality

## Examples
- The International Space Station maintains orbital altitude by periodic reboosts to counter atmospheric drag. *(engineering)*
- A beehive regulates internal temperature near 35°C despite external swings, consuming honey stores to heat or cool. *(biology)*
- The Federal Reserve targets 2% annual inflation, adjusting interest rates to close the gap from current measures. *(economics)*

## Used by
- [competition](https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-competition.social) (L16)
- [design](https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-design.plan) (L9)
- [equipment](https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-equipment.tool) (L9)
- [game](https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-game.playful) (L11)
- [management](https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-management.administrative) (L16)
- [plan](https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-plan.strategic) (L13)
- [project](https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-project.plan) (L10)
- [purpose](https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-purpose.goal) (L9)
- [sports](https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-sports.activity) (L17)
- [team](https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-team.social) (L7)

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*Canonical: https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-goal.purpose*  
*Structured data: https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-goal.purpose.json*  
*Every definition provably resolves to space, time, energy and pattern.*