Alternative philosophical vocabulary - determinism and indeterminism

Definitions

What does the principle of determinism in psychology say? A scientific principle is based on a number of concepts that scientists operate with.

Determinism in psychology

There are three key methodological principles of psychology: determinism, systematicity and development.

The principles of consistency and development are clear to understand.

Systematicity means the presence of connections between various manifestations of the psyche, and development and types of processes occurring.

The concept of determinism is not so clear. This is the recognition of a direct relationship between phenomena and the factors that give rise to them.

That is, when studying any mental phenomenon, it is necessary to analyze the conditions of its occurrence. Only in this case can we talk about creating a complete picture of the present. Not all scientists agree with this opinion.

Deterministic approach

This is a scientific approach, according to which all occurring processes are not random, but have a specific reason.

Determinism considers causality as a set of circumstances that determines all processes. At the same time, it is recognized that it is impossible to explain all phenomena by causality alone.

Other forms of determinism that are key:

• systemic - individual elements of the system depend on the characteristics of the whole;
• feedback - consequences have a direct impact on the cause that caused them;
• statistical - the same reasons can lead to different consequences, subject to statistical regularities;
• target - the task set determines the result that will be achieved in the process of activity;
• self-determinism is a demonstration of the ability to direct oneself and manage one’s actions in accordance with existing needs.

Determination of behavior

What does the determination of behavior imply? A person’s behavior is determined not only by his individual character traits and the current situation in which he operates, but also by the specifics of the social environment around him.

The immediate environment (family, friends, acquaintances) influence the formation of a system of values ​​and life attitudes.

It is in the process of socialization of a child in the family and in society that he learns moral and ethical standards and comprehends the principles of behavior. His personal qualities are supplemented by information coming from outside.

In addition to the immediate environment (microenvironment), a person is also influenced by society as a whole (macroenvironment). Political, economic, sociocultural and historical processes form social norms, rules of behavior, typical processes and phenomena.

This leads to the development of certain behavioral stereotypes, habitual views and opinions in a particular society.

To become a full-fledged citizen and achieve social well-being, you must comply with these stereotypes and rules.

Cultural determinism holds that all human behavior is explained solely by sociocultural causes . It is the level of a person’s culture that determines his emotional reactions, behavior, etc.

Thus, internally, the “I”, under the influence of life in society, is supplemented and transformed into a “I-image” . The inner “I” is understood as the entire set of individual personality traits - temperament, character, values, ideas about oneself and the world.

But often a person in the process of his social life encounters phenomena that conflict with his inner personality.

In this case, the “I-image” comes first - this is the social behavior that a person demonstrates in order to effectively interact with others .

That is, he says and does exactly what members of his social group expect of him. Even if it goes against his internal position.

Determinism and freedom of behavior are possible only if a person knows how to adapt to the requirements of the environment and accept all existing rules without internal discomfort.

Determinants of mental development

Studying the problem of an individual’s mental development involves analyzing three main factors:

1. Biological . This is a key factor influencing the course of mental processes in any individual. It is the properties inherent in nature that become the foundation for the further development of the psyche. The influence of the biological factor is manifested in the following aspects: heredity, congenital characteristics, level of maturation of the nervous system. Heredity refers to a set of qualities that are passed on to a child from his parents. Congenital characteristics are characteristics inherent in a particular organism depending on the course of intrauterine development and the process of childbirth. The development of the nervous system depends on the growth and formation of connections between nerve cells.
2. Social. A set of external conditions that surround an individual in his social environment. Under the influence of these conditions, a process of socialization occurs, which is of great importance.
   It is as a result of socialization that all key skills develop, among which speech development is of paramount importance.

   In parallel with socialization, individualization also develops - the separation of oneself from society, the awareness of one’s own exclusivity.

3. Personal activity. As a result of the full mental development of an individual, the ability to carry out purposeful activities is formed. This activity is manifested in building communications with other members of society, joining social groups, obtaining education, mastering professional skills, etc. As a person grows up, his mental development constantly reaches new levels. As consciousness becomes more complex, activity becomes enriched. Positive activity allows you to socialize in society: take a certain position, build personal relationships, create a circle of friends, etc.

[edit] In culture

A little bit of determinism from the Merovingian Architect and Gregory House Conscious determinist

• "Legends and Myths of Ancient Greece"
  . The idea of ​​the inevitability of Fate (Fatuma) can be traced in almost all myths, the most notable in this regard is the myth of Oedipus. Both Oedipus and his father had their fate predicted, both tried to escape it... and ended up taking actions that led to the exact fulfillment of the prediction.
• "Zadig, or Fate"
  by Voltaire. The young man Zadig wanders around the Middle East, getting from one scrape to another. He curses cruel fate, but gradually it becomes clear that everything in the world happens for a reason, because even bad things lead to good consequences and vice versa. The explanations of causality in the world order by the angel whom Zadig meets are an excellent example of determinism.
• “Jacques the Fatalist and His Master” by
  Denis Diderot. The nameless master and his servant Jacques go on a journey, and to relieve the boredom of the long journey, Jacques tells awesome stories of his love affairs. In words, Jacques is sure that everything that happens in the world is written “above” in a large, gradually unfolding scroll. At the same time, Jacques attaches great importance to his actions and is not a passive observer. Despite the title of the work, critics noted Jacques' philosophy as pure determinism.
• Chapter “Fatalist”
  of the novel
  “Hero of Our Time”
  by Lermontov. Another, despite the name, good example of determinism. Despite all the rhetoric about fate and fatalism, the actions of the heroes are strictly determined, which ultimately leads to the death of officer Vulich.
• “The Extraordinary Adventures of Julio Jurenito”
  by Ilya Ehrenburg. On many issues, the main character Julio Jurenito expresses views from the position of determinism.
• "The Master and Margarita"
  by Bulgakov. A mysterious stranger predicts that Berlioz will have his head cut off. They will cut it off because Annushka has already bought butter. And not only did I buy it, but I already bottled it...
• "Watchmen"
  by Alan Moore. Doctor Manhattan, being a physicist by profession and, accordingly, believing in determinism, after acquiring superpower he himself became the personification of determinism, learning to feel time literally as a fourth dimension, simultaneously living episodes of both his past and future.
• "Berserk"
  by Kentaro Miura. Living in a fucking cruel world, people could not understand why shit happens to them so often, and came to the simple conclusion that the world is ruled by Evil. These aspirations of people gave birth to the truly Schopenhauerian essence of the Idea of ​​Evil in the form of a heart, which became G-d and determined in a certain way the hitherto insane world, especially the bearers of the Becherites. Of course, Guts does not agree with the fate prepared for him, and resists the dark forces oppressing him.
• “Deadlock”
  by Vladimir Savchenko. About the harmful influence of determinism and the fatalism associated with it on an unprepared physical and mathematical mind.
• Rozen Maiden
  ! Laplace's demon in the form of an anthropomorphic rabbit appears as a minor character, although apart from the name it actually has nothing to do with Laplace and determinism.
• Steins;Gate
  . An anime in which the main character tries to save his friend from death, time after time moving through time and time after time observing new ways of her death.

Theory - briefly

The basis of the psychological approach lies in the philosophical theory according to which there is a universal relationship and interdependence between the phenomena of the surrounding reality.

The first aspects of determinism were formulated by the ancient Greek atomistic materialists.

The principle was then considered by representatives of the classical school of philosophy.

In the 17th century, the presence of causality in all phenomena in society was determined. With the development of science comes the understanding that any event or phenomenon is a pattern of some causes .

Currently, the theory is actively used to explain the development and functioning of various phenomena.

In the social sciences, the approach allows one to analyze the patterns of social development, the degree of influence of social norms and principles on human behavior.

In special sciences, the principle is used to designate constant connections in various processes, mechanisms, equations, etc. That is, processes or mechanisms that can be described and predicted in a strictly unambiguous manner are deterministic.

The presence of the aspect of probability, variability, instability indicates the action of the opposite principle - indeterminism (the absence of patterns and dependencies in nature, in society).

Historical forms and concepts of determinism

There are several historical theories and concepts of determinism that succeeded each other in different eras, but still exist even in our time:

• antique (naive and spontaneous-dialectical form);
• Laplacian (mechanical rigid);
• natural science (statistical);
• modern (synergetic).

Now let's look at these forms and theories in more detail.

The very first ideas in the theory of determinism were related to causality. They were recognized in Ancient Greece with developed legal and political activity. Also, the ideas of causality and necessity were described back in the 5th century BC by Leucippus, then Democritus became interested in them.

A later form is Laplacean determinism, which is even now considered the foundation of sciences such as physics and mechanics. The concept was supported by successes in the scientific field. Its essence lies in the fact that certain forces, as well as external factors or causes, act on the material system in the initial state, while they strictly and linearly determine its development, as well as subsequent events. This theory is also widely reflected in philosophy.

With the development of such sciences as statistical physics and thermodynamics, probabilistic determinism also emerged. At first it was considered inseparable from the previous Laplace form. According to him, dynamic laws are considered primary, and statistical laws are considered derivative and secondary.

If we talk about modern determinism, then it is a synthesis of all previous theories and approaches, even ancient ones. For example, the features of causation are difficult to understand without the category of interaction, that is, the interconnection of different processes, objects or phenomena. Matter and movement are capable of being transferred, modified, information is transferred and transformed from one form to another.

Causal connections should be interpreted as a directed interaction; immediately after the causes in the effect, we can talk about the active cause. Causes and conditions cannot be opposed to each other, since the condition itself is partially a cause, and the cause is to some extent a condition.

Description of probabilistic determinism

After unambiguous determinism, a theory of probabilistic causation of phenomena appeared. Its appearance coincides with the peak of development of theories about thermodynamics and statistical physics. The concept of hard causality, over time, showed its imperfection, especially when probabilistic methods and research theories appeared. Statistical patterns were primary; they became the beginning of models of the probabilistic world. The probabilistic method of study undermines the authority of unambiguous causality, the main idea of ​​which is: external causes are omnipotent.

Determinism and great scientists

Mechanical determinism is a science in which it is possible to equate living beings with automata, according to the theory that all bodies are things. They are able to move, have qualitative and other indicators, and have sensations.

This theory belongs to Thomas Hobbes. But Rene Descartes believed that matter and spirit are different things. Thus, according to his theory, the spirit has creative energy, but thinking has its own laws. But matter is the “building material” of the world - it is a kind of mechanism that consists of interconnected components. Most Enlightenment figures were inclined to take this view of determinism.

If we talk about the vision of determinism in the philosophy of such a scientist as Spinoza, then such a theory has always stood apart in the formulation of the problem

Thus, Spinoza was a follower of Descartes; accordingly, he concluded that in the primary substance, that is, nature and God, categories such as necessity and freedom coincide. He actually believed that causality is the connecting link between everything that exists in the world. However, it does not belong to nature, since it is eternal and the cause of nature is itself. Reason, according to Spinoza, is the original cause of everything that exists, including man.

In ethical issues, Spinoza connected determinism and indeterminism. Thus, he denied such a concept as willpower; according to the scientist, a person in many things depends on affects. However, on the other hand, Spinoza does not deny the existence of freedom as such. But he has a special interpretation of this concept: Spinoza said that a thing or a person is truly free when they fulfill their purpose.

Indeterminism: what is it?

Philosophy has also always contained ideas and theories that deny necessity as the main driving force of nature and the world. The original concept was goal setting, which was based on the theory that all processes are a consequence of “divine arbitrariness.” At the same time, theological ideas associated with the “plan from above” lead to determinism.

Indeterminism as the idea of ​​denying causality manifested itself in theology, as well as in the theories of famous philosophers, for example, Kant or Hume. So, in philosophy there is a theory that cause and effect are subjective. In other words, the person making a certain conclusion does not understand how much it corresponds to reality.

In science, indeterminism began to develop in science with the development of statistics.

This is a concept in philosophy and psychology

In philosophy, determinism refers to concepts that recognize the conditionality, determinacy ( determinism ) of all existing phenomena:

1. human inner world;
2. environment;
3. some primary reality (God, nature or space).

With the advent of probability-theoretic research methods, the concept of causality was recognized as imperfect. The primary ones turned out to be statistical patterns that express the “average” states of a set of quantities. They became the fundamental basis of models of the probabilistic world.

is completely opposed to deterministic views - this is a philosophical direction whose followers completely deny the causality of phenomena and their connection.

In psychology

Determinism in psychology explains the peculiarities of the formation of the human psyche.

It is a model consisting of three factors that influence the events that occur:

1. surrounding reality;
2. personal qualities of a person;
3. behavior.

Practical application of the principle of determinism

In the 19th century, the emergence of biological determinism led to the fact that the psyche began to be viewed as the most important component of all life activity.
In psychological determinism, there is a clear understanding that all occurring mental phenomena due to direct external influences, factors, can be formed according to laws that are not similar to known biological or physical ones. Thanks to psychological determinism, experts have come to the conclusion that the psyche is not a closed entity. This allowed them to begin conducting research in the mental sphere. Psychology was faced with the task of studying the mechanisms of its activity, due to which mental phenomena and phenomena occur. The application of the principle of determinism in psychology made it possible to bring physiological laws to the comprehension of mental phenomena.

In the concept of L. S. Vygotsky, a thesis was formulated about the transformation of the natural mechanisms of mental activity as a result of the ontogenetic development of the individual due to the influence of social and historical factors on him and his ongoing assimilation of elements of culture and relationships with people.

Evolution of the principle

The modern purpose of determinism is to organize knowledge in various sciences. There are several stages in the development of this principle in relation to psychology. One of them is associated with hylozoism, a teaching that came to us from ancient times. Its meaning was that nature is a single material whole, endowed with life, while there was no division of all things into living and nonliving.

The next stage in the evolution of determinism was determined by the development of biology and was expressed in the division of all matter into living and nonliving. A revolutionary hypothesis was put forward about the existence of an inextricable connection between soul and body, as well as biological and mental elements.

This is how probiological determinism arose, suggesting that the driving factor is not so much external circumstances as an orientation towards the ultimate goal. It was later used as the basis for a theological concept, but was subsequently rejected as untenable.

The further development of determinism is associated with the name of the ancient philosopher Augustine, who argued that the soul is a source of inexhaustible knowledge, which is extracted from it by willpower aimed at realizing a specific goal. The scientist paid great attention to the so-called internal experience as the only correct means of understanding the human psyche. All these theories can be attributed to the so-called pre-mechanical determinism.

We recommend: Apperception: stage of cognition

The theory of determinism acquired a new form in the era of the development of manufacturing production. The so-called mechanical determinism explained all ongoing processes from the point of view of causal-mechanical relationships. In its development it went through several stages:

• Descartes viewed the human body as a mechanism operating in accordance with the principles of rationality. Instead of the soul, the scientist assumed the existence of consciousness as an independent entity. This is how a dualistic, that is, dual picture arose, dividing a person into two halves.
• Spinoza, on the contrary, developed the doctrine of the unity of substance. He highlighted the phenomenon of affect, which could manifest itself in joy or sadness. Spinoza completely denied chance, thereby giving reason to consider his approach fatalistic.
• In the 18th century, French and English scientists considered a person as a bodily machine, organized according to the principle of a hierarchical system with mental properties distinguished by degree of complexity.
• In the last century, scientists began to attach great importance to the biological component. Determinism began to be used in the development of concepts that explain the correlation between occurring phenomena and the structural features of a living organism.

The biological principle of determinism was developed in the 19th century, after Bernard’s theories of physiology and Darwin’s natural selection became widely known. The principle established the relationship between the selection and preservation of life forms most successfully adapted to the external environment, as well as their ability to proactively activate mechanisms that ensure the stability of biological processes. In other words, determination began to be viewed not as a rigid sequence between cause and event, but as a probabilistic value.

This approach prompted scientists to think about the possibility of using statistical methods in psychology, which gave science a new round of development. The famous work of the Belgian Adolphe Quetelet made it possible to determine the subordination of the behavior of a group of people to certain patterns.

This concerned acts of a social nature, such as marriage, divorce, etc. At the same time, the scientist considered a certain average person, from whom other individuals deviate in one direction or another.

Determinism allowed psychology to rise to a new qualitative level. The assumption of the constancy of the average number, that is, the set of characteristics of the average individual, made it possible to prove the existence of a reality comparable to the physical one. In other words, psychology, using mathematical tools, can:

• Predict the likelihood of a particular phenomenon, for example, social unrest, revolutions.
• Analyze the behavior of large groups of people using variation statistics methods.
• Predict the probability of the birth of people with genius abilities.

[edit] Criticism

[edit] Eastern philosophy

Nagarjuna intensively comprehends the relativity of cause-and-effect relationships.
The question of causality is the first

in the history of Indian philosophy. The so-called orthodox (Brahminical) and heterodox (Jains, Buddhists) schools are divided precisely by the question: is there a cause in an effect or an effect in itself? Judging by the sutras, the determinists were trolled by Buddha, Mahavira, and someone before them, whose names history has not preserved due to uselessness. The Buddhist Nagarjuna finally completed the arguments of the critics in the 3rd century AD.

First, we cannot say that the effect is different from the cause. Because in this case it is impossible to prove that this consequence is a consequence of this particular cause and not of any other reason. The event-effect and the event-cause must literally grow into each other.

Secondly, the effect is not identical to the cause, because then it makes no sense to distinguish them at all. Since they are so closely related, it is much easier to consider them one event.

Thirdly, cause and effect cannot be both identical and different, because this would contradict the first two statements.

Fourthly, the cause does not produce the effect. Because then you’ll have to figure out how she does it:

• Was the effect already present in the cause?
  Then they were simply one and the same event.

• The effect did not pre-exist in the cause, but appeared anew?
  And where is the guarantee then that another consequence cannot SUDDENLY jump out of the cause? Since something takes and appears anew, then why can’t something else spontaneously generate?

• Both happened together
  - it turns out that the effect is present in the cause, but in fact it is not there? Something doesn't add up again.

Thus, cause does not produce effect; nothing can be produced at all.

How then do mechanical watches work? Obviously, because they are not a chain of causes and effects, but a single vinar mechanism

. One wheel turns another, another turns a third, and the result is predictable because all the wheels are connected into a single whole.

In a word, from the point of view of the most canonical Buddhist logic, causality is empty

. Not in the sense that it does not exist, but in the fact that it does not exist on its own and depends on the model that we have chosen. For example, a chain of events can be cut into separate events, either in large or small pieces, the components and phenomena can be grouped in different ways, the pieces can be hidden in black boxes, etc.

So, for example, if karma determined 100% of everything that happens in this world, then a person would not have a single chance to correct it. After all, in order to correct karma, you need to do something good, but how can you do it if your behavior is also determined? On the other hand, a person’s problems are often caused by his own mistakes, so some kind of karma is still present in life. How to solve this paradox? It’s very simple: there is karma, but it is unstable (or, as it is sometimes translated, empty). That is, even a person who has messed up a lot can repent and upgrade to complete enlightenment. This is such zen.

Or a simpler example: the same clock. For example, if the wheels and winding mechanism were the reason why a watch worked, then different watches would show different times. But they show the same time! This means that wheels are not everything. We need a clear idea for a watch, with a dial and hands. And even this is not enough - a person needs to be able to tell the time using a watch. And to ensure that the mechanism works, it must be wound regularly and not dropped or lost. If you find someone else's watch, there is no guarantee that it works correctly, shows the correct time and is set exactly for the time zone in which you are located. So for the clock to work, the clock alone is not enough; you need an observer consciousness that monitors time.

Muslim theologians consider determinism to be bullshit, to which a devout Muslim should not pay attention. After all, Allah is immeasurably great and wise and it is not a problem for him to create any miracle, and in such a way that no one will notice anything.

[edit] Western philosophy

The English philosopher David Hume tore classical determinism to smithereens, saying that the necessity of causality is a fiction of our mind. For in reality we do not observe universal causal necessity, but we can only observe the repeated connection of some events with others, the contiguity of these events in space, as well as the precedence of some events to others in time. We do not observe everything else, but actually infer the empirically recorded events. If you hammer a bolt on this metaphysics, it turns out that the idea of ​​causal necessity is simply the expectation that similar causes will be followed by similar effects. That is, the connection of events can be observed, but necessity cannot.

Popper came from the other side and proposed comparing two objects: clouds and clocks. Clocks symbolize physical systems whose behavior is regularly and precisely predictable. But is it really possible to predict the appearance and disappearance of clouds, hurricanes or volcanic eruptions as accurately? Although these phenomena also obey physical laws, they bear little resemblance to the operation of mechanisms. Now let’s imagine that all other things, phenomena and processes are located between these extreme poles - clouds and clocks. For example, it would be logical to place animals closer to the clouds, and plants closer to the clock. Laplacean determinism states that all “clouds” are actually “clocks.” But essentially the world is an interconnected collection of clouds and clocks, where even the best clocks have something “cloud-like” about them.

Formation of a deterministic view in the ancient period

Understanding the causality of certain phenomena appeared in the ancient period among ancient peoples. This was facilitated by the development of political and public life, especially in Ancient Greece. Views about causation were expressed by Democritus and Leucippus.

In ancient India, ideas of cause and effect were closely related to karma and rebirth. Here, one can observe the relationship between a person’s behavior and his quality of rebirth in a future life.

In Ancient China, Lao Tzu studied deterministic processes especially carefully. He called this process “Tao”. It exists constantly, in everything and everywhere. Tao represents inaction, does not depend on time, creates the universal unity of the world.

The formation of the deterministic direction originates in Ancient Greece. Ancient philosophers, in their works, examined in detail the laws of the world. It was called differently: “nike”, “logos”, “homeomerism”, “nous”, “atoms”, “chance”, “vortex”, four types of cause according to Aristotle.

[edit] A little history

[edit] Fatalism

The Moirai are the Greek goddesses of fate.
The topic of boobs has been revealed Since people showed interest in philosophy, they noticed that not everything in the world around them is so simple, they began to notice cause-and-effect relationships, and realized that even phenomena that seem random can have some simple and objective reason. At the dawn of the mental development of mankind, the insignificant amount of accumulated knowledge did not yet provide a satisfactory answer to all the main questions, but inquisitiveness was already itching in the brains, and the little people fantasized about some powerful beings who were the cause of everything. This is how spirits and totemism/animism appeared, and then gods and religion.

For a long time, the idea of ​​a deity completely satisfied humanity. How was the world formed? Allah created it. Why does the Sun rise in the east and set in the west? This little god rides her fiery chariot every day. Why does thunder thunder and lightning flash? This is Zeus bombing. Etc.

The more phenomena attributed to deities, the more powerful they became. And one day a man completely entrusted himself to the gods and decided: since they are so omnipotent, it means that our destinies are also completely in their hands. After imagining a little more, the man guessed: wow, they had already determined everything in advance and assigned their fate to everyone! Otherwise, how else to explain all these oddities? Why does one live long and the other short? Why does someone work like hell and be a beggar in life, while others do nothing their entire life and rake in all the goodies for themselves? Why is one strong and not sick with anything, while the other is constantly dying from all sorts of illnesses? The answer is simple: fate, sir, it is destined from above - and the destined will certainly come true. Why this is so and not otherwise is not our business, THEY know better. And there is no need to interfere with the predetermined course of things, everything will still happen as it should happen.

This is how fatalism appeared.

[edit] From fatalism to determinism

Clock Universe
Over time, cunning people noticed that everything was predetermined for a reason, but for some reason

. Already the atomist Democritus said that “he would prefer to find one causal explanation than to acquire the Persian throne for himself.” He opposed randomness and saw fatalism in understanding the operation of the laws of nature. Aristotle went even further and gave the doctrine of four types of causes: formal, material, driving and target.

Gradually, people accumulated more and more knowledge, thought of inventing a scientific method, and SUDDENLY realized: the world is predictable! That is, for a given set of circumstances there is only one possible (and predictable) outcome. This is determinism. It differs from fatalism in the following way: the fatalist believes in predestination

and explains the destiny with instructions from ZOG “from above.”
The determinist believes that it is possible to find out a specific reason
why everything will happen exactly this way and not otherwise.

An example of a deterministic system is a combination of Newton's laws of mechanics and his law of universal gravitation. Suppose we apply these laws to a single planet orbiting a star, and launch the planet from a given location at a given speed. Then we can predict where she will be at any point in time in the future. Let's introduce a couple more planets, a bunch of asteroids and a bag of planetary satellites into the system. The task becomes much more complicated, because each body acts on all the others. But the system remains deterministic - it is still described by the same equations of motion, they just become more numerous. This model resembles the operation of a clock mechanism.

[edit] Hard determinism, or Laplace's demon

Laplace preferred only hardcore, only harsh determinism

The idea of ​​the “clockwork of the Universe” was very satisfying for scientists. One of them was the French mathematician Laplace, an absolutely deranged determinist, who proposed a thought experiment: if a hypothetical intelligent being could know the position and speed of every particle in the Universe at a certain moment in time, then it could absolutely accurately know the evolution of the Universe both in the past and in future. This creature was later called Laplace's demon. Laplace himself believed that external causes and factors acting on the material system and its initial state are strictly

and unambiguously determine its development, the history of all further events and states.

Foundations of modern determinism

Already in the 20th century, a new model of ideas about the universe began to form. In the mid-twentieth century, a new idea about synergetics appeared, and the physical and mathematical foundations of self-organization phenomena were developed. Modern determinism is a combination of individual ideas of all ideas about causality, starting from the ancient period. The new approach derives three categories of time dependence of cause and effect:

• the cause appears first, then the effect, strict sequence - this is the classical model;
• there is a gap between cause and effect, but they are closely connected by the conditions of short-range action, the final speed;
• cause and effect appear simultaneously: when the process of cause is just beginning, its effect immediately arises, then the cause is “extinguished” by its effect.

Interactions in the theory of determinism

The temporal relationship between cause and effect has three versions of origin:

• the cause is the primary phenomenon, and it is followed by the effect;
• with close action and finite speed of cause and effect relationships, there is a gap;
• cause and effect are simultaneous phenomena, the cause arises and immediately provokes the effect, while the cause itself subsequently fades away.

In the theory of science of determinism, there is a thorny issue that concerns the concept of chance, as well as its relationship with causality and necessity. However, practically no one has any debate on the topic of defining necessity as an immutability. This was due to the development of determinism before this.

But the random can be considered as something that is not a consequence of an internal pattern, it is a consequence of external connections and relationships that have a short duration and instability.

State connections are important categories; thanks to the study of states, one can find out not exactly why this or that event happened, but how the process of its origin proceeds from beginning to end. This is a qualitative-quantitative measure of the realization of the existence of something in a certain period of time; in science it has a set of parameters of a specific object. In a broad sense, a connection between states can be independent of a non-causal connection, as is the case in a functional connection.

What is a functional connection? Such a concept means a function, as a more general form of describing sequences, all without regard to the content between objects. Such relationships are reflected in the Boyle-Marriott law, where pressure and volume are not causes of each other, despite the fact that they are functionally related to each other.

But a correlation connection is an expression of a quantitative specific correlation of objects, states, and other things

And also their correspondence to each other against the background of changes is taken into account, as well as parallelism against the background of a weak connection, which can be caused by the presence of a large time period or intermediate objects

The most developed category of determinism is scientific teleology, provided it is sufficiently developed.

Origin of the term "determinism"

The question of the cause of this or that phenomenon has always worried people. Over time, the concept of determinism was filled with new questions, developed, and enriched. But no scientific name was given for the constant questions about cause-and-effect relationships.

The word “determinism” was first recorded during the Middle Ages. It denoted a type of logical explanation of a concept, which is the antonym of the word “generalization.” Already in the 16th and 17th centuries, this word received a new meaning - conditionality. In the 17th century, determinism was the name given to causality and regularity. At the same time, the foundation is laid for the formation of mechanistic determinism. Since this period, the concept has been used in all branches of science to explain the dynamics, patterns, and universality of certain categories and objects.

There is another point of view - the opposite of the theory of causality, which is called indeterminism. Indeterministic supporters did not agree with the causal, natural conditionality of various phenomena in the natural environment and human society. The basic concepts of this direction: causeless randomness of phenomena, human free will, arbitrariness. The concept of indeterminism in philosophy was found in antiquity and modernity. The founder and successor of thoughts about chance and causelessness are the indeterminists: D. Hume, B. Russell, H. Reichenbach, and others.

Explanation of the concept of "determinism"

“Determination” is a Latin word that is translated as “to determine,” “to limit,” “to separate.” Based on this explanation, the scientific direction is based on the separation of properties and characteristics of an object. This allows you to understand what influence it has on ongoing processes, how other objects are associated with it and determine its existence.

The concept of “determinism” in a philosophical view is the doctrine of causality and laws. This concept is a building block of the scientific method. Taking into account the main categories, scientific research is aimed at analyzing, determining the conditions and causes, relationships and laws of various changes that occur in society, the natural environment, and human thinking. In philosophy, determinism unites the concept of nature, which is deciphered in causality, chance or necessity.

Notes

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   Time paradoxes	Murdered Grandfather Paradox · Causal Loop · Time Loop · Predestination Paradox
   Parallel timelines	Alternate history · Many-worlds interpretation · Multiverse · Parallel worlds
   Philosophy of space and time	Butterfly effect Determinism Eternalism Fatalism Free will Predestination Self-determination
   Spaces in general relativity that can contain closed timelike lines	Alcubierre Bubble · BTZ Black Hole · Gödel Metric · Kerr Metric · Krasnikov Tube · Misner Space · Tipler Cylinder · Van Stockum Dust · Wormhole
   Urban legends about time travel	Moberly-Jourdain Incident · Philadelphia Experiment · Montauk Project · Chronovisor · Billy Mayer · Rudolf Fenz · John Titor