Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Deterministic refers to the belief that all events, including human actions and choices, are caused by factors beyond our control. It suggests that there is no free will, as everything is predetermined.
The concept of causality explores the cause-and-effect relationship between events or actions. It suggests that every event has an underlying cause.
Determinism versus Indeterminism: This term highlights the debate between determinism (the belief that all events have pre-existing causes) and indeterminism (the belief that some events occur randomly without any prior cause).
Environmental determinism: This theory emphasizes how external factors such as the environment and experiences shape human behavior and limit free will.