indeterminism

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

noun

, Philosophy.

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.

indeterminism

/ ˌɪndɪˈtɜːmɪˌnɪzəm /

noun

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

Derived Forms

• ˌindeˈterminist, nounadjective
• ˌindeˌterminˈistic, adjective

Other Words From

• inde·termin·ist noun adjective
• inde·termin·istic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of indeterminism¹

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

Example Sentences

What you call randomness or indeterminism is what we call information creation.

From Science News

Indeterminism is the only way to break the world into good parts and into bad, and to stand by the former as against the latter.

From Project Gutenberg

Indeterminism finds more advocates nowadays than determinism.

From Project Gutenberg

The incompatibility lies between Indeterminism and Responsibility.

From Project Gutenberg

For as with the previous terms examined, it is an acceptance of Indeterminism that would rob these words of all value.

From Project Gutenberg

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

From Project Gutenberg