What does "determinism" mean?
The doctrine that all actions are determined by the current state and immutable laws of the universe, with no possibility of choice.
Determinism
noun
noun ·5 syllables ·Uncommon ·Advanced level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: The doctrine that all actions are determined by the current state and immutable laws of the universe, with no possibility of choice.
- Grammar: determinism is listed as noun.
- Nearest alternatives: aftertime, afteryears, algorithmic rigidity, by-and-by.
- Useful contrasts: apparent randomness, quantum randomness, random number generation.
- Usage evidence: Pereboom’s book presents probably the best available argument for hard incompatibilism (the view that free will is not compatible with causal determinism), and his defence of the sourcehood view is just part of this overall argument.
How to use "determinism"
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Meaning check
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Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "determinism" in a final draft.
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Before you rely on this definition
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Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
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Definitions
Noun
- 1 The doctrine that all actions are determined by the current state and immutable laws of the universe, with no possibility of choice. countable, uncountable
"Pereboom’s book presents probably the best available argument for hard incompatibilism (the view that free will is not compatible with causal determinism), and his defence of the sourcehood view is just part of this overall argument."
- 2 (philosophy) a philosophical theory holding that all events are inevitable consequences of antecedent sufficient causes; often understood as denying the possibility of free will wordnet
- 3 The property of having behavior determined only by initial state and input. countable, uncountable
Synonyms
All synonymsAntonyms
apparent randomnessquantum randomnessrandom number generationrandom variation
Example
"Pereboom’s book presents probably the best available argument for hard incompatibilism (the view that free will is not compatible with causal determinism), and his defence of the sourcehood view is just part of this overall argument."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "determinism"?
Common synonyms include: aftertime, afteryears, algorithmic rigidity, by-and-by, calvinism, causal determinism.
How do you use "determinism" in a sentence?
Pereboom’s book presents probably the best available argument for hard incompatibilism (the view that free will is not compatible with causal determinism), and his defence of the sourcehood view is just part of this overall argument.
Etymology
Borrowed from French déterminisme, equivalent to determine + -ism.