determinism

de·ter·min·ism  (d-tûrm-nzm)

n.

The philosophical doctrine that every state of affairs, including every human event, act, and decision is the inevitable consequence of antecedent states of affairs.

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de·termin·ist n.

de·termin·istic adj.

de·termin·isti·cal·ly adv.

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determinism

Noun

the theory that human choice is not free, but is decided by past events

determinist nadj

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determinism

1. the doctrine that all f acts and events result from the operation of natural laws.
2. the doctrine that all events, including human choices and decisions, are necessarily determined by motives, which are regarded as external forces acting on the will. Also called predeterminism. Cf. fatalism. — determinist, n. — deterministic, adj.

See also: Philosophy

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

determinism - (philosophy) a philosophical theory holding that all events are inevitable consequences of antecedent sufficient causes; often understood as denying the possibility of free will fatalism - a philosophical doctrine holding that all events are predetermined in advance for all time and human beings are powerless to change them philosophy - the rational investigation of questions about existence and knowledge and ethics philosophical doctrine, philosophical theory - a doctrine accepted by adherents to a philosophy