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Definition of probabilist - 2 dictionary results

prob⋅a⋅bi⋅lism

  [prob-uh-buh-liz-uhm]
Use probabilist in a Sentence
–noun
1. Philosophy. the doctrine, introduced by the Skeptics, that certainty is impossible and that probability suffices to govern faith and practice.
2. Roman Catholic Theology. a theory that in cases of doubt as to the lawfulness of an action, it is permissible to follow a sound opinion favoring its lawfulness.

Origin:
1835–45; < F probabilisme. See probable, -ism

Related forms:
prob⋅a⋅bi⋅list, noun, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To probabilist
prob·a·bi·lism   (prŏb'ə-bə-lĭz'əm)   
n.  

  1. Philosophy The doctrine that probability is a sufficient basis for belief and action, since certainty in knowledge is unattainable.

  2. Roman Catholic Church The system of moral theology that applies when the lawfulness of an act is uncertain, by allowing an actor to follow an opinion favoring personal liberty if that opinion is solidly probable, even though an opposing opinion, favoring law, is more probable.

prob'a·bi·list adj. & n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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