indeterminism

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

noun

, Philosophy.

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.

indeterminism

/ ˌɪndɪˈtɜːmɪˌnɪzəm /

noun

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

Derived Forms

• ˌindeˈterminist, nounadjective
• ˌindeˌterminˈistic, adjective

Other Words From

• inde·termin·ist noun adjective
• inde·termin·istic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of indeterminism¹

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

Example Sentences

Some seem to think quantum structure is more likely to be connected to consciousness than classical structure, perhaps because features such as indeterminism and non-locality are perceived as distinctively mentalistic.

From Scientific American

His language is spare, strange, and evocative, with a tugging indeterminism.

From The New Yorker

The issue is a little subtle, but the key point is that the distinction between determinism and indeterminism is a level-specific one.

From Scientific American

This may sound counterintuitive, but indeterminism at the level of agency is compatible with determinism at the level of physics.

From Scientific American

Then came quantum mechanics, with its claims of uncertainty and indeterminism.

From Nature