determinism

noun

de·​ter·​min·​ism di-ˈtər-mə-ˌni-zəm How to pronounce determinism (audio)
dē-
1
philosophy
a
: a theory or doctrine that acts of the will (see will entry 2 sense 4a), occurrences in nature, or social or psychological phenomena are causally determined by preceding events or natural laws
b
: a belief in predestination
2
: the quality or state of being determined
determinist noun or adjective
deterministic adjective
deterministically adverb

Examples of determinism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web In general, overzealous applications of these technologies can be driven by a kind of genetic determinism — the naïve view that the meaningful differences between organisms within a population can be explained (mostly) by their genetic makeup. Shawn Walsh, Quanta Magazine, 29 Nov. 2023 But, for ideological reasons, his father forbade him to study biology; in Howard’s view, the possibility of genetic determinism contravened the Communist belief in the ultimate malleability of human nature. Joshua Rothman, The New Yorker, 13 Nov. 2023 In the Mandelbrot set, order and chaos lived in harmony; determinism and free will could be reconciled. Quanta Magazine, 26 Jan. 2024 The six-episode first season explores the concepts of identity, free will vs. determinism, and the gray areas of good and evil, with Loki's connection with Sylvie (Sophia Di Martino) — his female variant — proving to be the show's strongest emotional through-line. Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 20 Oct. 2023 The work argues for collaborative social practices, while needling technological determinism. Julia Couzens, Sacramento Bee, 30 Jan. 2024 Both determinism and free will can lend themselves to a conception of life that implies a sense of underlying order. The New Yorker, 27 Nov. 2023 This cultural determinism was nearly inescapable and explained the world’s complicated political and economic circumstances. Jordan Michael Smith, The New Republic, 19 Oct. 2023 Third, the moral challenge to retribution has nothing to do with freedom or determinism. Kieran Setiya, The Atlantic, 3 Nov. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'determinism.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

see determine

First Known Use

1838, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of determinism was in 1838

Dictionary Entries Near determinism

Cite this Entry

“Determinism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/determinism. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Medical Definition

determinism

noun
de·​ter·​min·​ism di-ˈtər-mə-ˌniz-əm How to pronounce determinism (audio)
1
: a theory or doctrine that acts of the will, occurrences in nature, or social or psychological phenomena are causally determined by preceding events or natural laws
explained behavior by the combination of an environmental and a genetic determinism
2
: the quality or state of being determined
deterministic adjective
also determinist
deterministically adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on determinism

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