Fatedness

Fatedness, also known as fatalism, is a philosophical doctrine that asserts all events, including human action, are predetermined and therefore inevitable. This concept posits that a future state of affairs is fixed and cannot be altered by human will or intervention. There are several interpretations of fatedness. Some forms suggest an external, often divine, force dictates the course of events. Others propose a more abstract, impersonal necessity inherent in the fabric of reality.

The implications of fatedness are significant, particularly concerning free will and moral responsibility. If all actions are predetermined, the notion of choice becomes illusory. This raises questions about whether individuals can be held accountable for their actions if they were destined to perform them regardless of their intentions. Different philosophical traditions grapple with this tension. Some fatalistic views are associated with determinism, the belief that every event is causally necessitated by antecedent events and conditions together with the laws of nature. However, fatedness does not necessarily require a causal chain; it can be a more direct imposition of destiny. The idea has appeared in various forms across cultures and throughout history, often explored in literature, mythology, and religious thought as a means of understanding human existence and the perceived order of the universe.