accidentalism
n. C2 Proficiency ac·ci·den·tal·ism
n. the belief that things happen by chance rather than by a plan or design. It suggests that the world is not controlled by a higher power or a specific purpose.
n. the philosophical doctrine that events occur by chance or accident rather than by necessity or design. Often contrasted with determinism or teleology.
The scientist's theory was based on accidentalism rather than divine purpose.
In his latest book, the philosopher argues for accidentalism, claiming that the universe has no inherent meaning or direction.
The debate between accidentalism and intentionalism remains a cornerstone of metaphysics, with proponents of the former insisting that all cosmic phenomena are the result of random statistical fluctuations.
From accidental + -ism.
- Nounaccidentalism
- Nounaccidentalist
- Nounaccidentality
- Nounaccidentalness
- Adjectiveaccidental
- Adverbaccidentally