indeterminism
noun
in·de·ter·min·ism
ˌin-di-ˈtər-mə-ˌni-zəm 
1
philosophy
a
: a theory that the will is free and that deliberate choice and actions are not determined by or predictable from antecedent causes
b
: a theory that holds that not every event has a cause
2
: the quality or state of being indeterminate
especially
: unpredictability
compare determinism
Examples of indeterminism in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The singularities introduce unpredictability and indeterminism.
—
Amanda Gefter, Quanta Magazine, 25 Sep. 2024
This indeterminism, along with the ambiguity inherent in the uncertainty principle, famously rankled Einstein, who fumed that God doesn’t play dice with the universe.
—Zeeya Merali, Discover Magazine, 18 Apr. 2023
Instead the world is a layer cake of determinism and indeterminism.
—George Musser, Scientific American, 1 Sep. 2015
Psychological explanations presume the kind of indeterminism that List is talking about.
—George Musser, Scientific American, 1 Sep. 2015
Neuroscience, quantum indeterminism and the Cartesian soul.
—Neuroskeptic, Discover Magazine, 22 Dec. 2013
Quantum indeterminism implies that for a particular quantum state there are many (possibly infinite) alternative futures or potential realities.
—Paul Davies, Scientific American, 24 Oct. 2014
His language is spare, strange, and evocative, with a tugging indeterminism.
—Katy Waldman, The New Yorker, 23 Sep. 2019
The characteristic features are indeterminism and uncertainty: fire an electron at an atom and observe it bounce to the right.
—Paul Davies, Slate Magazine, 16 Mar. 2017
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Amanda Gefter, Quanta Magazine, 25 Sep. 2024
This indeterminism, along with the ambiguity inherent in the uncertainty principle, famously rankled Einstein, who fumed that God doesn’t play dice with the universe.
—Zeeya Merali, Discover Magazine, 18 Apr. 2023
Instead the world is a layer cake of determinism and indeterminism.
—George Musser, Scientific American, 1 Sep. 2015
Psychological explanations presume the kind of indeterminism that List is talking about.
—George Musser, Scientific American, 1 Sep. 2015
Neuroscience, quantum indeterminism and the Cartesian soul.
—Neuroskeptic, Discover Magazine, 22 Dec. 2013
Quantum indeterminism implies that for a particular quantum state there are many (possibly infinite) alternative futures or potential realities.
—Paul Davies, Scientific American, 24 Oct. 2014
His language is spare, strange, and evocative, with a tugging indeterminism.
—Katy Waldman, The New Yorker, 23 Sep. 2019
The characteristic features are indeterminism and uncertainty: fire an electron at an atom and observe it bounce to the right.
—Paul Davies, Slate Magazine, 16 Mar. 2017
Cite this Entry
“Indeterminism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/indeterminism. Accessed 23 May. 2025.
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