eideterminism

Eideterminism is a philosophical concept that combines elements of both determinism and indeterminism. It posits that while the universe is deterministic in the sense that all events are caused by prior events, the specific nature of those causes is not predetermined. In other words, the universe is deterministic in terms of its overall structure and evolution, but the specific details of how events unfold are not fixed. This concept was proposed by the philosopher David Lewis in his 1986 book "On the Plurality of Worlds." Eideterminism offers a middle ground between strict determinism, which asserts that all events are predetermined, and strict indeterminism, which posits that events are entirely random and uncaused. It suggests that while the universe follows a deterministic path, the exact sequence of events is not predetermined but rather emerges from the interactions of a multitude of possible worlds. This perspective allows for a more flexible and dynamic view of the universe, acknowledging both the constraints of determinism and the openness of indeterminism.