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Indeterminism is a philosophical concept that posits that not all events are causally determined by prior events. This means that some occurrences happen randomly or by chance, rather than being inevitable outcomes of a chain of cause and effect.12

This view stands in contrast to determinism, which asserts that all events, including human decisions, are predetermined. Indeterminism suggests that individuals may possess free will, the capacity to make choices independent of preceding causes. Research in quantum mechanics lends some support to indeterminism, as certain events at the quantum level appear unpredictable. However, the idea that purely random actions can be controlled or constitute free will is a subject of philosophical debate.13

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  1. determinism
  2. free will
  3. indeterminism

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