Fatalism

Lore & Background

The term 'fatalism' can refer to any view according to which human beings are powerless to do anything other than what they actually do. This includes theological fatalism, which holds that free will is incompatible with an omniscient God who has foreknowledge of all future events; logical fatalism, which argues that propositions about the future can only be true or false if future events are already determined; and causal determinism, which is usually treated as distinct from fatalism.

Reader's Guide

Fatalism has been articulated in both Eastern and Western religions, philosophy, music, and literature. The ancient Arabs before Islam professed a widespread belief in fatalism alongside a fearful consideration for the sky and stars as divine beings. In the I Ching and philosophical Taoism, the ebb and flow of favorable and unfavorable conditions suggests the path of least resistance is effortless. In Indian Subcontinent philosophies, the concept of karma deals with similar issues to Western determinism; karma is understood as a spiritual mechanism causing the eternal cycle of birth, death, and rebirth. The Ājīvika school of philosophy in ancient India upheld the Niyati ('Fate') doctrine of absolute fatalism, negating free will and karma. Among Latinos, 'fatalismo' is a cultural phenomenon related to belief in divine will, and is researched as a risk factor for depression and suicide. Buddhist philosophy contains concepts some scholars describe as deterministic, such as dependent origination and non-self, though the direct analysis is difficult due to differences between European and Buddhist traditions.

Did You Know?

• Among Latinos, fatalismo is researched as a risk factor contributing to depression and suicide within the Latino population.
• The ancient Arabs before Islam shaped their lives in accordance with interpretations of astral configurations and phenomena due to their belief in fatalism.