Systemic Determinism

Lore & Background

The provided source describes philosophical varieties of determinism rather than a specific story or lore. It notes that causal determinism posits an unbroken chain of prior occurrences stretching back to the origin of the universe, where every event is necessitated by antecedent events and conditions together with the laws of nature. In nomological determinism, the past and present dictate the future entirely through rigid natural laws, a concept illustrated by Laplace's demon, which suggests an omniscient observer could predict the future if knowing all particle positions and velocities. The text also mentions necessitarianism, which claims only one possible world exists, and theological determinism, where outcomes are attributed to fate or divine omniscience. These concepts appear in both Western traditions (Presocratics, Stoics, Newtonian mechanics) and Eastern philosophy (karma, Ājīvika fatalism).

In Their Own Story

Instead, it presents abstract philosophical arguments and historical debates. It discusses how determinism is often contrasted with free will, though some philosophers argue they are compatible. The text outlines the debate on whether the entire universe is a single determinate system or if limited systems exist. It references specific thinkers such as Leucippus, who claimed there are no uncaused events, and Augustine of Hippo, who is asserted by some to have introduced theological determinism into Christianity in 412 CE. The source also mentions Friedrich Nietzsche's explanation that human beings are determined by their bodies, passions, impulses, and instincts.

Reader's Guide

It distinguishes causal determinism (every event results from preceding events) from nomological determinism (predictability based on natural laws). It defines predeterminism as the idea that all events are determined in advance, sometimes biologically or genetically, and notes its frequent use in contexts of heredity. The text explains fatalism as a form where fate has arbitrary power and does not necessarily follow causal laws, distinguishing it from standard determinism. Adequate determinism is described as the view that quantum indeterminacy can be ignored for macroscopic events because random events average out. Stephen Hawking's perspective on determined probabilities in quantum mechanics is also included, stating nature determines the probability of various futures rather than certainties.

Did You Know?

• Laplace's demon is a thought experiment positing that an omniscient observer knowing all particle positions and velocities could predict the future entirely.
• Augustine of Hippo is asserted by some to have introduced theological determinism into Christianity in 412 CE, whereas prior Christian authors supported free will against Stoic and Gnostic determinism.
• Leucippus claimed there are no uncaused events and that everything occurs for a reason and by necessity.
• Friedrich Nietzsche explained that human beings are determined by their bodies and are subject to its passions, impulses, and instincts.
• Adequate determinism suggests quantum indeterminacy can be ignored for most macroscopic events because random quantum events average out in the limit of large numbers.