Determinism Theory

A Determinism Theory is a philosophical theory which proposes that all events, including human actions, are influenced by preceding events or conditions and are subject to laws of nature.

• Context:
  • It can range from being a Causal Determinism to being a Probabilistic Determinism.
  • It can trigger debates on the compatibility of Free Will and Determinism.
  • It can extend to various fields, including physics, ethics, and biology.
  • It can be a root for various sub-theories such as Technological Determinism and Biological Determinism.
  • …
• Example(s):
  • Laplace's Demon, a hypothetical intelligent being that knows the precise location and momentum of every atom in the universe.
  • Technological Determinism, which holds that society's technology drives the development of its social structure and cultural values.
  • Biological Determinism, which suggests that human behavior is primarily determined by an individual's genes or some component of physiology.
  • …
• Counter-Example(s):
  • Indeterminism, which suggests that some events are not causally determined and therefore not predictable.
• See: Deterministic, Predicton, Empirically, Philosophy of Physics, Indeterminism, Free Will, Predictability, Causality, Compatibilistic, Incompatibilistic, Fatalism, Historical Determinism, Nomological Determinism.

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References

2023

• Web-search Summary
  • Determinism theory is a philosophical and scientific concept suggesting that all events, including human actions, are influenced by preceding events or conditions and are subject to laws of nature. This theory applies to various fields, such as physics, ethics, and biology. For instance, in physics, determinism is reflected in the theory of "hidden variables" proposed to integrate deterministic principles into quantum physics. Ethical determinism suggests human actions are completely governed by pre-existing conditions under nature's laws. Biological determinism argues that human behavior is entirely innate.

    In addition to these, there are also specific forms of determinism, like technological determinism, which argues that technology shapes society. However, this stance has faced criticism for historical inaccuracies, political dangers, and ethical concerns.

     Hard determinists oppose the concept of free will and insist that every human decision or action is causally inevitable. On the other hand, soft determinists or compatibilists argue that free will and determinism are not incompatible. They believe that acting freely could mean identifying with one's desires or could imply an act that one would've executed if one had decided, irrespective of whether it was realistically possible.

    Contrasting determinism is indeterminism, positing that certain events occur randomly without a deterministic cause. Libertarianism, which contends humans possess free will, supports the tenets of indeterminism. However, this notion of free will has been challenged, especially when actions are purely random and seem to undercut the agency of free will.

     Determinism theory, therefore, suggests a deterministic pattern to all happenings and actions, with views varying on the extent and interpretation of this determinism, particularly in relation to human behavior and decision-making. This concept and its philosophical implications have stirred debates, each theory perpetuating this discourse with diverse perspectives.

2023

• (Wikipedia, 2023) ⇒ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Determinism Retrieved:2023-11-5.
  • Determinism is the philosophical view that events are completely determined by previously existing causes. 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. The opposite of determinism is indeterminism, or the view that events are not deterministically caused but rather occur due to chance. Determinism is often contrasted with free will, although some philosophers claim that the two are compatible.  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. Determinism should not be confused with the self-determination of human actions by reasons, motives, and desires. Determinism is about interactions which affect cognitive processes in people's lives. It is about the cause and the result of what people have done. Cause and result are always bound together in cognitive processes. It assumes that if an observer has sufficient information about an object or human being, that such an observer might be able to predict every consequent move of that object or human being. Determinism rarely requires that perfect prediction be practically possible.

2015

• (Wikipedia, 2015) ⇒ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/determinism Retrieved:2015-10-11.
  • Determinism is the philosophical position that for every event, including human action, there exist conditions that could cause no other event. “There are many determinisms, depending on what pre-conditions are considered to be determinative of an event or action." Deterministic theories throughout the history of philosophy have sprung from diverse and sometimes overlapping motives and considerations. Some forms of determinism can be empirically tested with ideas from physics and the philosophy of physics. The opposite of determinism is some kind of indeterminism (otherwise called nondeterminism). Determinism is often contrasted with free will. ...

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