- "Determinism is the philosophical view that events are completely determined by previously existing causes."
The belief that everything that happens is the result of a chain of causes and effects, and that free will is an illusion.
Ethics: The study of moral principles and values that govern individual and collective behavior. In the context of determinism, ethics is important because it explores questions such as whether it is right or wrong to intervene in an inevitable event like the trolley problem.
Free will: The concept that individuals have the ability to make choices that are not predetermined by external or internal factors. Free will is often contrasted with determinism because it suggests that human beings are capable of making choices that are not predetermined.
Causality: The idea that every event has a cause or a set of causes that precede it. In the context of determinism, causality is important because it suggests that every event, including the decisions made in the trolley problem, are the result of prior causes.
Consequentialism: A moral theory that judges the rightness or wrongness of an action based on its consequences. In the context of determinism, consequentialism is important because it explores the implications of intervening in a predetermined event like the trolley problem.
Utilitarianism: A moral theory that judges the rightness or wrongness of an action based on the degree to which it maximizes the overall happiness or well-being of society. In the context of determinism, utilitarianism is important because it provides a framework for deciding what to do in the trolley problem.
Action theory: The study of the relationship between human action and causality. In the context of determinism, action theory is important because it explores how human beings can make choices in a world that is governed by causal laws.
Fatalism: The belief that events are predetermined and that individuals have no control over them. In the context of determinism, fatalism is important because it suggests that human beings have no agency and are powerless to change the course of events.
Deterministic worldview: The belief that everything in the universe, including human behavior and decision-making, is predetermined by prior causes. In the context of determinism, a deterministic worldview implies that the outcome of the trolley problem is predetermined and cannot be changed.
Moral responsibility: The idea that individuals have a moral duty to act in certain ways and are accountable for the consequences of their actions. In the context of determinism, the concept of moral responsibility is important because it raises questions about whether individuals can be held responsible for their actions in a deterministic world.
Character ethics: The study of the traits and qualities that make up a virtuous character. In the context of determinism, character ethics is important because it explores whether human beings have the ability to develop morally virtuous characters despite living in a world that is determined by prior causes.
Causal determinism: The belief that everything that happens in the universe is predetermined by prior causes and scientific laws of nature.
Logical determinism: The belief that the future is logically necessary and predetermined by the information available.
Theological determinism: The belief that God or a higher power predetermines everything that happens in the universe.
Fatalism: The belief that events are inevitable and that one's actions have no effect on the outcome.
Hard determinism: The belief that free will does not exist and that all actions are predetermined.
Soft determinism: The belief that although there are constraints on our actions, we still have some degree of free will.
Environmental determinism: The belief that one's environment and surroundings determine their future actions and behaviors.
Historical determinism: The belief that historical events and processes determine the course of human history and individual lives.
Psychological determinism: The belief that psychological factors and processes determine one's actions and behaviors.
Ethical determinism: The belief that what is morally right or wrong is predetermined, and that individuals have no control over their moral decisions.
- "Deterministic theories throughout the history of philosophy have developed from diverse and sometimes overlapping motives and considerations."
- "Determinism focuses on particular events rather than the future as a concept."
- "The opposite of determinism is indeterminism, or the view that events are not deterministically caused but rather occur due to chance."
- "Determinism is often contrasted with free will, although some philosophers claim that the two are compatible."
- "One topic of debate concerns the scope of determined systems."
- "Compatibilism and incompatibilism represent the opposing sides of this debate."
- "Determinism should not be confused with the self-determination of human actions by reasons, motives, and desires."
- "Determinism is about interactions which affect our cognitive processes in our life."
- "Cause and result are always bound together in cognitive processes."
- "It assumes that if an observer has sufficient information about an object or human being, that such an observer might be able to predict every consequent move of that object or human being."
- "Determinism rarely requires that perfect prediction be practically possible."
- "Historically, debates about determinism have involved many philosophical positions and given rise to multiple varieties or interpretations of determinism."
- "One topic of debate concerns the scope of determined systems."
- "Another common debate topic is whether determinism and free will can coexist."
- "It is about the cause and the result of what we have done."
- "Determinism should not be confused with the self-determination of human actions by reasons, motives, and desires."
- "Determinism assumes that if an observer has sufficient information about an object or human being, that such an observer might be able to predict every consequent move of that object or human being."
- "Determinism is about interactions which affect our cognitive processes in our life."
- "Determinism rarely requires that perfect prediction be practically possible."