Predeterminism

Predeterminism is the philosophical belief that all events, including human actions, are determined by causes existing before the event itself. It asserts that free will is an illusion, and everything that happens is inevitable and predetermined. This deterministic view can be based on various factors, like divine decree (religious predeterminism), physical laws (scientific determinism), or a complex interplay of influences shaping an individual's character and decisions. The core concept eliminates genuine choice, as all occurrences are fixed in advance, independent of individual volition or agency.

Predeterminism meaning with examples

• From a Predeterminism perspective, the choices we make about our careers are not truly our own. Our backgrounds, experiences, and even genetic predispositions predetermine our paths. We might believe we're making independent decisions, but every factor has been laid out, we are simply executing a prearranged course.
• The rigid adherence to a specific religious doctrine might imply a strong form of predeterminism. The belief that God has already decided who will be saved, and who will not, effectively eliminates any real choice in determining one's own salvation. Our lives are seen as scripts, and we are merely actors fulfilling a pre-ordained narrative.
• Some scientists and philosophers embrace a form of physical Predeterminism, suggesting that the laws of nature dictate all events, including our actions. Our brains are seen as complex machines, and their chemical and electrical interactions predetermine our every thought and action. In this view, free will is an understandable but ultimately erroneous construct.
• The concept of societal Predeterminism proposes that individuals are shaped and constrained by the social forces and historical context surrounding them. Socioeconomic status, cultural norms, and political structures predetermine the likelihood of success, even with individual efforts. It acknowledges the influence of external factors.