determinism
Sign in to saveDeterminism is the metaphysical view that all events within the universe (or multiverse) can occur only in one possible way. Deterministic theories throughout the history of philosophy have developed from diverse and sometimes overlapping motives and considerations. Like eternalism, determinism focuses on particular events rather than the future as a concept. Determinism is often contrasted with free will, although some philosophers argue that the two are compatible. The antonym of determinism is indeterminism, the view that events are not deterministically caused.
AI overview
Determinism is the philosophical idea that everything that happens in the universe can only happen in exactly one way—that events are ultimately predetermined rather than open to multiple possibilities. It matters because it raises fundamental questions about whether we have free will and genuine choice, though some philosophers argue that determinism and free will might actually be compatible with each other.
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Article
37 sectionsContents
- Varieties
- Causal
- {{Anchor|Nomological determinism}}Nomological
- Necessitarianism
- Predeterminism
- Biological
- Fatalism
- Theological
- Adequate
- Determined probability
- Many-worlds interpretation
- Philosophical varieties
- Nature/nurture controversy
- Determinism and prediction
- Structural
- With free will
- With the soul
- With ethics and morality
- History
- Western tradition
- Newtonian mechanics
- Eastern tradition
- Ājīvika
- Buddhism
- Modern scientific perspective
- Generative processes
- Compatibility with the existence of science
- Mathematical models
- Quantum and classical mechanics
- Classical theories
- Standard quantum mechanics
- Other interpretations
- References
- Notes
- Bibliography
- Further reading
- External links
Determinism is the metaphysical view that all events within the universe (or multiverse) can occur only in one possible way. Deterministic theories throughout the history of philosophy have developed from diverse and sometimes overlapping motives and considerations. Like eternalism, determinism focuses on particular events rather than the future as a concept. Determinism is often contrasted with free will, although some philosophers argue that the two are compatible. The antonym of determinism is indeterminism, the view that events are not deterministically caused.
Historically, debates about determinism have involved many philosophical positions and given rise to multiple varieties or interpretations of determinism. One topic of debate concerns the scope of determined systems. Some philosophers have maintained that the entire universe is a single determinate system, while others identify more limited determinate systems. Another common debate topic is whether determinism and free will can coexist; compatibilism and incompatibilism represent the opposing sides of this debate.