indeterminism

[ in-di-tur-muh-niz-uhm ]

nounPhilosophy.
  1. the doctrine that human actions, though influenced somewhat by preexisting psychological and other conditions, are not entirely governed by them but retain a certain freedom and spontaneity.

  2. the theory that the will is to some extent independent of the strength of motives, or may itself modify their strength in choice.

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Origin of indeterminism

1
First recorded in 1870–75; in-3 + determinism

Other words from indeterminism

  • in·de·ter·min·ist, noun, adjective
  • in·de·ter·min·is·tic, adjective

Words Nearby indeterminism

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use indeterminism in a sentence

  • Their indeterminism is indeed the necessary and logical accompaniment of their anti-intellectualism.

    Religion and Science | John Charlton Hardwick

British Dictionary definitions for indeterminism

indeterminism

/ (ˌɪndɪˈtɜːmɪˌnɪzəm) /


noun
  1. the philosophical doctrine that behaviour is not entirely determined by motives

Derived forms of indeterminism

  • indeterminist, noun, adjective
  • indeterministic, adjective

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012