fatalism
FAY-tuh-liz-uhm
/ˈfeɪ.tə.lɪ.zəm/
The belief that all events are predetermined and inevitable, rendering human action powerless to change the outcome.
Focuses on inescapable predetermination rather than merely expecting a bad outcome.
The story behind the word. Fatalism comes from the Latin 'fatum', meaning 'that which has been spoken' by the gods. The belief holds that all events are predetermined and inevitable, reducing human agency to a mere illusion.
Word relationships
- determinism: Determinism relies on cause-and-effect natural laws, whereas fatalism rests on inescapable fate or destiny.
- resignation: Resignation is the emotional acceptance of an outcome, whereas fatalism is the philosophical belief that all outcomes are fixed.
- free will: Free will posits that human choices genuinely shape outcomes without predetermination.
- agency: Agency emphasizes human power to act independently.
Commonly confused with
- pessimism: Fatalism asserts everything is pre-fixed; pessimism asserts that things will end badly.
Word family
- fatalist (noun): Someone who believes that outcome is predetermined.
- fatalistic (adjective): Believing that all events are predetermined.
Collocations
- quiet fatalism
- embrace fatalism
- economic fatalism
- strict fatalism
Idioms & expressions
- what will be, will be
Example sentences
- "Ancient Greek tragedies are frequently steeped in fatalism, showing heroes unable to escape prophecies decreed by the gods." Classical Literature
- "Living under endless economic stagnation bred a quiet fatalism among citizens who felt their votes changed nothing." Sociological Essay
Memory hook
FATE-alism means believing FATE controls everything and you have zero control. Fate rules all.
When not to use
Do not confuse with general sadness; it specifically requires belief in fixed predetermination.
Fun facts
- In Stoic philosophy, fatalism was described using the analogy of a dog tied to a moving cart: the dog can either run happily with the cart or be dragged, but the cart moves forward regardless.
Related words
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