Predetermination (Noun)
Meaning 1
(theology) being determined in advance; especially the doctrine (usually associated with Calvin) that God has foreordained every event throughout eternity (including the final salvation of mankind).
Classification
Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents.
Examples
- The Calvinist doctrine of predetermination held that every event in human history had been foreordained by God from eternity past.
- Some theologians argued that the concept of free will was incompatible with the idea of predetermination, as it suggested that human decisions were already set in motion.
- The Christian concept of predetermination led many to question whether humans truly had control over their own destinies.
- Predetermination was seen as a way to reconcile the sovereignty of God with the reality of human sin and free will.
- In certain sects, the doctrine of predetermination was seen as the most logical explanation for the existence of evil in the world.
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Meaning 2
A mental determination or resolve in advance; an antecedent intention to do something; "he entered the argument with a predetermination to prove me wrong".
Classification
Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents.
Examples
- Her predetermination to pursue a career in law led her to take relevant courses in college and gain valuable experience through internships.
- The detective entered the interrogation with a predetermination to prove the suspect's guilt, but new evidence revealed the accused's innocence.
- His predetermination to sell his shares as soon as the stock price rose proved to be a smart decision in the end.
- She approached the negotiations with a predetermination to settle for nothing less than a 20% raise.
- The researcher's predetermination to disprove the theory led to a biased interpretation of the data, which was later disputed by her peers.
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Meaning 3
The act of determining or ordaining in advance what is to take place.
Classification
Nouns denoting acts or actions.
Examples
- The concept of predetermination implies that the course of events that led to her success was already mapped out in advance.
- Some believe in the predetermination of one's fate by a higher power, with every major life decision already decided.
- Philosophers have debated the concept of predetermination for centuries, questioning whether human actions are truly free or predetermined.
- In the context of the story, the author suggested a sense of predetermination, implying that the main character was destined to make the choices that led to the tragic ending.
- According to the ancient prophecy, the rise of the great leader was an event of cosmic predetermination, long foretold by the stars.