Unpredictability
Unpredictability refers to the quality of events or systems that defy precise prediction. It arises from incomplete information, intrinsic randomness, and complex interactions among components. Even when underlying rules are known, small errors in initial conditions can lead to large divergences, especially in nonlinear or chaotic systems, making long-term outcomes effectively unknowable.
Unpredictability appears in many domains. In meteorology, weather forecasts degrade beyond a few days due to
Theoretical and methodological approaches distinguish true randomness from epistemic limits. Random processes are described by probability
Implications for decision making include the need for risk management, resilience, and robust design. Techniques include
Philosophically, unpredictability has long been tied to debates about determinism and free will. Historical figures like