probabilism

[ prob-uh-buh-liz-uh m ]

/ ˈprɒb ə bəˌlɪz əm /

noun

Philosophy. the doctrine, introduced by the Skeptics, that certainty is impossible and that probability suffices to govern faith and practice.

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.

Words nearby probabilism

proactive, proactive inhibition, proagon, prob, prob., probabilism, probabilistic, probability, probability curve, probability density function, probability distribution

Compare equiprobabilism.

Origin of probabilism

From the French word probabilisme, dating back to 1835–45. See probable, -ism

OTHER WORDS FROM probabilism

prob·a·bi·list, noun, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Examples from the Web for probabilism

The doctrine of probabilism is founded upon the distinctions between opinions that are sure, less sure, or more sure.
A Short History of Monks and Monasteries|Alfred Wesley Wishart
Again, the doctrine of probabilism is utterly misunderstood.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 15, Slice 3|Various
He is famous for his antagonism to the doctrine known as Probabilism, as he advocated Probabiliorism.
The Jesuits, 1534-1921|Thomas J. Campbell
The doctrine of Probabilism is connected with the promulgation of law.
Essays In Pastoral Medicine|Austin Malley

Probabilism has to do only with the existence, interpretation, or applicability of a law, not with the differentiation of actions.
The Ethics of Medical Homicide and Mutilation|Austin O'Malley

British Dictionary definitions for probabilism

probabilism

/ (ˈprɒbəbɪˌlɪzəm) /

noun

philosophy the doctrine that although certainty is impossible, probability is a sufficient basis for belief and action

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

Derived forms of probabilism

probabilist, noun, adjectiveprobabilistic, adjectiveprobabilistically, adverb

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