determinism

[ dih-tur-muh-niz-uhm ]

noun

1. the doctrine that all facts and events exemplify natural laws.
2. the doctrine that all events, including human choices and decisions, have sufficient causes.

determinism

/ dɪˈtɜːmɪˌnɪzəm /

noun

1. Also callednecessitarianism the philosophical doctrine that all events including human actions and choices are fully determined by preceding events and states of affairs, and so that freedom of choice is illusory Compare free will
2. the scientific doctrine that all occurrences in nature take place in accordance with natural laws
3. the principle in classical mechanics that the values of dynamic variables of a system and of the forces acting on the system at a given time, completely determine the values of the variables at any later time

determinism

1. In ethics , the view that human actions are entirely controlled by previous conditions, operating under laws of nature. Determinism is often understood as ruling out free will .

Derived Forms

• deˌterminˈistic, adjective
• deˈterminist, nounadjective

Other Words From

• de·ter·min·ist noun adjective
• de·ter·min·is·tic [dih-tur-m, uh, -, nis, -tik] adjective
• non·de·ter·min·ist noun adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of determinism¹

First recorded in 1840–50; determin(e) + -ism

Example Sentences

We now understand that this is not about technological determinism.

From Time

In the early 1950s physicist David Bohm developed such a theory of “hidden variables” that restored determinism to quantum physics, but made no predictions that differed from the standard quantum mechanics math.

From Science News

This view, known as technological determinism, is historically flawed, politically dangerous, and ethically questionable.

From MIT Technology Review

Biological determinism, the idea that human behavior is entirely innate, rightly makes people nervous.

From Singularity Hub 

This son has begun thrumming the strings of hereditary determinism, and is finding them holding taut.

From The Daily Beast

“The idea that our genes control our fates is called genetic determinism,” Lewis says.

From The Daily Beast

I have discussed this question at length in my "Determinism or Free Will."

From Project Gutenberg

The same method should be followed with all the other expressions in the Bible which appear to teach determinism.

From Project Gutenberg

We shall see that Hasdai Crescas was more consistent, and admitted determinism.

From Project Gutenberg

In the present instance the objections to determinism are much greater and more serious than those to freedom.

From Project Gutenberg

This determinism is in the one case what Bergson calls "radical finalism," and in the other "radical mechanism."

From Project Gutenberg