A Necessitarian is a philosophical position that asserts all events, including human actions, are causally determined by prior events and are therefore inevitable. This view denies free will, arguing that every occurrence is a necessary consequence of preceding circumstances. Necessitarianism can be applied to various domains, including metaphysics, ethics, and the philosophy of mind. It contrasts with libertarianism, which upholds free will, and often grapples with implications for moral responsibility and the nature of choice.
Necessitarian meaning with examples
- The hard determinist's belief in a preordained universe aligns with Necessitarian principles. They argue that every action is a consequence, negating true autonomy. Therefore, moral praise or blame is ultimately misdirected, for everyone is subject to an unbroken chain of cause and effect that shapes their path.
- Understanding the laws of physics reveals that every particle's behavior is governed by prior states. A Necessitarian interprets this universal order as evidence for their claims. Free will becomes an illusion of agency. Consequently, human choices appear predetermined at a fundamental level.
- If a Necessitarian stance is correct, then punishment is a practical tool for controlling future behaviors not a just response for freely chosen actions. Reeducation and deterrence could be the best responses to crimes instead of retribution, with all human behavior pre-written into an inevitable script.
- The argument for a divine predetermination of all events mirrors the core tenets of necessitarianism. If God knows every action that a person will take, then, from this perspective, those actions are ultimately unavoidable, with no real alternatives available at any juncture in life.
- Consider the implications of a Necessitarian worldview in psychology. Therapists might focus on exploring the causes for behavior rather than empowering individuals to make free choices. Everything in a Necessitarian view is an inevitable result of the past.