fatalism

Fatalism is the view that events are fixed in advance and inevitable, and that human beings cannot alter predetermined outcomes. In everyday language it often carries a sense of resignation to fate, but in philosophy the term is used more precisely to contrast certain claims about inevitability with other theories about causation and freedom. A key feature is the claim that at least some future events will occur regardless of what individuals do.

Etymology: The term derives from Latin fatum, "decree, oracle," from fari "to speak."

Historical and religious contexts: In ancient Greece and Rome, fate was central to cosmology, personified by the Moirai in Greek myth. Stoic philosophy taught that events unfold according to a rational, providential order, though it also urged virtuous action within that order. In other traditions, such as Islam’s concept of qadar and some Hindu doctrines of prarabdha karma, a divine or karmic order is cited to explain inevitability.

Variants and criticisms: Hard fatalism holds that all events are inexorable and human actions are effectively powerless; soft or practical fatalism allows individuals to act while acknowledging inevitability in some domains. Critics argue fatalism erodes moral responsibility and motivation, while defenders claim it clarifies the scope of human freedom and may accompany a form of agency compatible with a larger order.

Related ideas include determinism, predestination, providence, and luck. Fatalism is a debated position across philosophy, theology, and literature, often explored through discussions of fate, chance, and control.