What does "indeterminism" mean?
The doctrine that all human actions are not so much determined by the preceding events, conditions, causes or karma as by deliberate choice or free will.
Indeterminism
noun
noun ·Rare ·Advanced level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: The doctrine that all human actions are not so much determined by the preceding events, conditions, causes or karma as by deliberate choice or free will.
- Grammar: indeterminism is listed as noun.
- Nearest alternatives: chance, doctrine, hesitation, incertitude.
- Useful contrasts: causality, destining, determinism.
- Usage evidence: The classic examples in physics involve relativity theory and quantum theory and the recognition of the indeterminisms underlying those required the genius of Einstein and of Heisenberg.
How to use "indeterminism"
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- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "indeterminism" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
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- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
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- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
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 "indeterminism" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
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Compare nearby meanings
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Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "indeterminism" is acting as noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
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3. Confirm with context
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Final meaning check
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Definitions
Noun
- 1 The doctrine that all human actions are not so much determined by the preceding events, conditions, causes or karma as by deliberate choice or free will. uncountable
- 2 A case in which the uncertainty principle applies; a case in which certain pairs of physical properties such as the position and momentum of a particle cannot be known simultaneously. countable
"The classic examples in physics involve relativity theory and quantum theory and the recognition of the indeterminisms underlying those required the genius of Einstein and of Heisenberg."
- 3 Any situation in which the outcome cannot be completely predicted in advance. countable
"There is a whole gradation of more or less rigid determinisms and more or less free indeterminisms, as they have been given in various theories."
- 4 A situation in which there are multiple valid options for next step in a process. countable
"In detail, an inference strategy has to deal with the following three kinds of indeterminisms: 1. the selection of the initial path, 2. the selection of the next branch B to be expanded, 3. the selection of the next linking step to be performed on B."
Example
"The classic examples in physics involve relativity theory and quantum theory and the recognition of the indeterminisms underlying those required the genius of Einstein and of Heisenberg."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "indeterminism"?
Common synonyms include: chance, doctrine, hesitation, incertitude, indecision, indecisiveness.
How do you use "indeterminism" in a sentence?
The classic examples in physics involve relativity theory and quantum theory and the recognition of the indeterminisms underlying those required the genius of Einstein and of Heisenberg.
Etymology
Borrowed from French indéterminisme, equivalent to in- + determinism.