Determinism Meaning
/dɪˈtɜːmɪnɪzəm/Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounThe doctrine that all actions are determined by the current state and immutable laws of the universe, with no possibility of choice.
nounThe property of having behavior determined only by initial state and input.
Sentence Examples
Determinism was a major philosophical concept.
He believed in a strict determinism.
The philosopher discussed the concept of environmental determinism in class.
CEFR Practice Quiz
Philosophers argue that ____ would eliminate all human free will.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
____ was a major philosophical concept.
Word Origin & History
Borrowed from French déterminisme, equivalent to determine + -ism.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Pereboom’s book presents probably the best available argument for hard incompatibilism (the view that free will is not compatible with causal determinism), and his defence of the sourcehood view is just part of this overall argument."
— 2015 January 1, John Danaher, “The Free Will Debate: Sourcehood or Alternative Possibilities?”, in Philosophical Disquisitions:
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CEFR Practice Quiz
Philosophers argue that ____ would eliminate all human free will.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
____ was a major philosophical concept.