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determinism

n. uncountable
C1 Advanced US //dɪˈtɝməˌnɪzəm// UK //dɪtˈɜːmɪnˌɪzəm// de·ter·min·ism

n. the idea that everything that happens is the result of what happened before. In computing, it means a program will always give the same result if you start it with the same data.

n. the philosophical doctrine that all events, including human action, are ultimately determined by causes external to the will. In a computational context, it refers to the property of a system where the same input will always produce the same output.


SIMPLE

The scientist believes in strict determinism.

COMPLEX

The debate between free will and determinism has persisted for centuries, with some arguing that our choices are merely the inevitable result of prior physical states.

Origin

Borrowed from French déterminisme, equivalent to determine + -ism.

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