tõenäosuslikkusel

Tõenäosuslikkus is an Estonian term that translates to "probabilism" in English. It is a philosophical concept that deals with the degree of belief in propositions or events. In essence, probabilism suggests that beliefs should be held in proportion to the evidence or likelihood supporting them. This means that rather than holding beliefs as absolute truths or complete falsehoods, one assigns a degree of probability to them.

The origins of probabilism can be traced back to ancient Greek philosophy, particularly to the Skeptics who questioned the possibility of certain knowledge. However, it gained significant traction during the Scholastic period in medieval philosophy, notably through the work of thinkers like Thomas Aquinas. Probabilism became a significant doctrine in moral theology, addressing the question of how to act when faced with conflicting moral opinions or uncertain moral rules. The principle of probabilism in this context states that it is permissible to follow an opinion that is probable, even if another opinion is considered more probable, provided the chosen opinion has a solid basis.

In broader philosophical contexts, probabilism is often contrasted with certainty and skepticism. It provides a framework for reasoning and decision-making in situations where complete knowledge is unattainable. This approach acknowledges the inherent uncertainty in many aspects of life and proposes a rational way to navigate it by quantifying belief based on available evidence. Modern discussions of epistemology and decision theory often engage with ideas related to probabilism, exploring its implications for rationality, justification, and the nature of knowledge.