probabilism

[ prob-uh-buh-liz-uhm ]

/ ˈprɒb ə bəˌlɪz əm /

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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.

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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

Words nearby probabilism

proagon, pro-am, pro-American, pro-ana, prob, probabilism, probabilistic, probability, probability curve, probability density function, probability distribution

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

How to use probabilism in a sentence

Again, the doctrine of probabilism is utterly misunderstood.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 15, Slice 3|Various
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
The opinion against a law to permit probabilism must be solid.
The Ethics of Medical Homicide and Mutilation|Austin O'Malley
The opinion against a law to constitute Probabilism must be solid.
Essays In Pastoral Medicine|Austin Malley

The doctrine of Probabilism is connected with the promulgation of law.
Essays In Pastoral Medicine|Austin 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