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determinism

dih-TER-mih-niz-uhm /dɪˈtɜːrmɪˌnɪzəm/

nounC2GREGMAT

AcademicPhilosophical

The doctrine that all events, including human choices, are completely determined by previously existing causes.

Directly opposes radical free will by holding that human agency is an illusion shaped by genetics, environment, and history.

The story behind the word. From Latin determinare ('to set limits or boundaries'). In philosophy, it expanded to mean that every event has fixed, predetermined boundary conditions that make any other outcome impossible.

Word relationships

fatalism: Fatalism assumes destiny will happen regardless of cause; determinism asserts events happen specifically due to preceding cause and effect.

indeterminism: The philosophical position that events are not completely caused by prior factors.

Commonly confused with

determination: Determination is personal persistence; determinism is the philosophical theory that all events are caused by prior factors.

Word family

determinist (noun): A proponent of determinism.
deterministic (adjective): Relating to or dictated by determinism.

Collocations

causal determinism
reject determinism
economic determinism
biological determinism

Idioms & expressions

bound by determinism

Example sentences

"Hard determinism claims that free will is impossible because every decision is dictated by antecedent physical causes." Philosophy of mind
"Economic determinism suggests that financial structures alone shape cultural revolutions." Historical analysis

Memory hook

DETERMINISM TERMINates alternate possibilities. Boundaries fixed by prior causes.

When not to use

Do not confuse with personal determination or ambition.

Fun facts

Laplace argued that a super-intelligence knowing all atomic positions could predict the entire future with absolute certainty.