indeterminism

[ in-di-tur-muh-niz-uhm ]

nounPhilosophy.
  1. the doctrine that human actions, though influenced somewhat by preexisting psychological and other conditions, are not entirely governed by them but retain a certain freedom and spontaneity.

  2. the theory that the will is to some extent independent of the strength of motives, or may itself modify their strength in choice.

Origin of indeterminism

1
First recorded in 1870–75; in-3 + determinism

Other words from indeterminism

  • in·de·ter·min·ist, noun, adjective
  • in·de·ter·min·is·tic, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use indeterminism in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for indeterminism

indeterminism

/ (ˌɪndɪˈtɜːmɪˌnɪzəm) /


noun
  1. the philosophical doctrine that behaviour is not entirely determined by motives

Derived forms of indeterminism

  • indeterminist, noun, adjective
  • indeterministic, adjective

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012