probabilism
Americannoun
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Philosophy. the doctrine, introduced by the Skeptics, that certainty is impossible and that probability suffices to govern faith and practice.
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Roman Catholic Theology. a theory that in cases of doubt as to the lawfulness of an action, it is permissible to follow a sound opinion favoring its lawfulness.
noun
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philosophy the doctrine that although certainty is impossible, probability is a sufficient basis for belief and action
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the principle of Roman Catholic moral theology that in a situation in which authorities differ as to what is the right course of action it is permissible to follow any course which has the support of some authority
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of probabilism
From the French word probabilisme, dating back to 1835–45. See probable, -ism
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
I think he’s playing grossly to the ignorance of a certain portion of his readership under the guise of sounding sophisticated by citing probabilism in this way.
From Slate ● May 18, 2017
It would be worth discussing whether a baptism on the intact foetal envelopes is valid, were it not that we may not apply probabilism in such a case.
From Essays In Pastoral Medicine by ?Malley, Austin
For this reason, probabilism found vigorous opponents in Bossuet and other eminent divines; and various of its excesses were condemned by the popes during the latter half of the 17th century.
From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 5, Slice 4 "Carnegie Andrew" to "Casus Belli" by Various
The study of the laws of the mind shows us too clearly, in fact, their fluidity with regard to the laws of nature for us not to accept probabilism.
From The Mind and the Brain Being the Authorised Translation of L'Âme et le Corps by Binet, Alfred
Mr. Alban Butler was totally averse to the system of probabilism, and to all assertions that favor laxity in morale.
From The Lives of the Fathers, Martyrs, and Principal Saints January, February, March by Butler, Alban
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
