stochasticism

Stochasticism is a philosophical position that holds the universe or reality is fundamentally governed by probabilistic rather than deterministic principles. According to this view, events and outcomes are neither fully predictable nor entirely random but are described by probability distributions that capture inherent uncertainty. The term emerged in the early twentieth century as scientists and philosophers sought to explain phenomena that traditional deterministic theories could not account for, particularly in physics, biology, and the social sciences.

Key proponents include physicist Werner Heisenberg, whose interpretation of quantum mechanics emphasized intrinsic indeterminacy; philosopher Alfred North Whitehead, who argued that the fundamental nature of reality is dynamic and probabilistic; and economist Milton Friedman, who applied stochastic concepts to economic forecasting and modelling. Stochasticism has inspired research in stochastic differential equations, information theory, and complexity science, providing tools for modelling systems where randomness plays a central role, such as weather prediction and stock market analysis.

Critics argue that stochasticism may be overly reductionist, downplaying the role of hidden variables or causal mechanisms that could provide additional explanatory power. Others suggest that deterministic models can coexist with probabilistic descriptions, and that stochasticism is more a methodological choice than a distinct metaphysical theory. Nevertheless, stochasticism remains influential in interdisciplinary research, offering a framework that acknowledges the limits of predictability while still seeking systematic patterns within probabilistic structures.