Determinismo

Determinismo is a philosophical concept asserting that all events, including human actions, are ultimately determined by causes external to the will. It implies that free will is an illusion, and every event is causally necessitated by prior events. This encompasses various perspectives, including causal, physical, and biological determinism. Causal determinism posits that every event is a necessary consequence of prior causes, while physical determinism claims that the laws of physics govern all events. Biological determinism, in turn, asserts that genetic factors play a significant role in shaping our behavior. The concept has been debated throughout history, with implications for morality, responsibility, and the nature of reality. It contrasts starkly with the idea of free will and agency.

Determinismo meaning with examples

• Imagine a billiard ball striking another; the second ball's movement is entirely determined by the first ball's trajectory and momentum. Causal determinism would argue that our actions are similarly predetermined by preceding events, making it impossible to choose otherwise. This contrasts with the intuition that we freely make decisions and are responsible for our choices, adding a great complexity to any argument.
• A scientist studying the brain might subscribe to physical determinism, believing that our thoughts and actions are the result of physical processes within the brain, governed by the laws of physics. This view suggests that our experience of agency is just an illusion of control. The complex web of processes that make up human activity are thus considered to have an inherent predictive nature.
• Biological determinism, for instance, argues that someone's predisposition to addiction, is largely determined by their genetic makeup, even before other conditions. While environmental factors can still be present in the model, the biological influence means that, as a base, some characteristics of the human being will determine the behavior of the person.
• A philosophical debate might explore the implications of determinism for moral responsibility. If all actions are predetermined, can we truly hold people accountable for their choices? If choices are the consequence of previous causes, holding people responsible may be pointless. This leads to difficult questions about the justice system, societal views, and the whole perspective that we have about responsibility and freedom.