indeterminism

[ in-di-tur-muh-niz-uh m ]

/ ˌɪn dɪˈtɜr məˌnɪz əm /

noun Philosophy.

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.

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

Nearby words

indeterminate, indeterminate equation, indeterminate sentence, indeterminate vowel, indetermination, indeterminism, index, index card, index case, index crime, index expurgatorius

Origin of indeterminism

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

Related forms

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

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for indeterminism

The enormous change was that determinism had been transferred from ends to means; and indeterminism from means to ends.
The Philosophy of Spinoza|Baruch de Spinoza
Opposed to determinism is the doctrine of indeterminism or indifferentism.
The New Gresham Encyclopedia|Various
It has championed Determinism or Indeterminism as the occasion served its interest.
Determinism or Free-Will?|Chapman Cohen
Indeterminism finds more advocates nowadays than determinism.
Major Prophets of To-Day|Edwin E. Slosson

For as with the previous terms examined, it is an acceptance of Indeterminism that would rob these words of all value.
Determinism or Free-Will?|Chapman Cohen

British Dictionary definitions for indeterminism

indeterminism

/ (ˌɪndɪˈtɜːmɪˌnɪzəm) /

noun

the philosophical doctrine that behaviour is not entirely determined by motives

Derived Forms

indeterminist, noun, adjectiveindeterministic, 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