accidentalism

[ ak-si-den-tl-iz-uhm ]

noun

1. a system of medicine based on the symptoms of a disease, disregarding its origin or cause.
2. Philosophy. any theory holding that some events have no causes.

Other Words From

• acci·dental·ist noun adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of accidentalism¹

First recorded in 1850–55; accidental + -ism

Example Sentences

For the philosophic theories relating to this subject see Accidentalism.

From Project Gutenberg

Have you ever given thought to the accidentalism of many great discoveries?

From Project Gutenberg