determinism
dih-TUR-muh-niz-um
/dɪˈtɜː.mɪ.nɪ.zəm/
The philosophical doctrine that all events, including human choices, are completely determined by previously existing causes.
Implies a strict, unbreakable chain of physical cause and effect governed by natural laws.
The story behind the word. From Latin 'determinare', meaning to enclose within boundaries. In post-medieval metaphysics, it evolved to describe how prior conditions set the exact boundary of every future outcome.
Word relationships
- fatalism: Fatalism views events as bound to happen regardless of causes, whereas determinism relies strictly on a chain of cause and effect.
- indeterminism: Indeterminism holds that some events are uncaused or fundamentally probabilistic.
Commonly confused with
- determination: Determination is a psychological trait of firmness, whereas determinism is a metaphysical theory of causality.
Word family
- deterministic (adjective): Relating to or believing in determinism.
- determinist (noun): A proponent of determinism.
Collocations
- hard determinism
- causal determinism
- embrace determinism
Example sentences
- "Hard determinism claims that because every event is caused by prior states of the universe, genuine free will cannot exist." Philosophical debate
Memory hook
Think of DE-TERMIN-ism as setting the TERMINAL ending before you even start. Bound by prior causes.
When not to use
Do not use to describe simple personal resolve or stubborn perseverance; use 'determination' instead.
Fun facts
- Ancient Romans worshipped Terminus, a god represented by stone markers; moving a boundary stone was considered a capital religious crime.
Related words
Explore more words
causality, fatalistic, destiny, absolutism, inevitable, metaphysical
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