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free-will-compatibilism

/ˌfriː wɪl kəmˌpæt.ɪ.bɪˈlɪz.əm/
IELTSAcademic
noun

the view that free will and a fully caused universe can both be true. It says people can choose freely even if their choices have causes.

  • She argued for free-will compatibilism in class.
  • The book explains free-will compatibilism clearly.

Adinary Nuance

Free-will compatibilism is not the same as free will alone. It also differs from determinism, which says events are fully caused. Writers use this term when they want to say choice and causation can coexist, not when they want a simple everyday idea of freedom.

In other languages

Vietnamese
thuyết tương thích
Spanish
compatibilismo
Chinese
相容论
Japanese
両立論
Korean
양립론

Etymology

This term combines free will with compatibilism. Compatibilism came into English in the 20th century from Latin roots meaning 'fit together' and 'able to agree.'

Common phrases

defend free-will compatibilismdebate free-will compatibilisma theory of free-will compatibilism

Synonyms

Related words

Frequently asked questions

Is free-will compatibilism a common word?
It is not common in daily speech. It appears mainly in philosophy and academic writing.
How is it different from free will?
Free will is the ability to choose. Free-will compatibilism says those choices can still have causes.
Is it used in IELTS or academic writing?
Yes, it can appear in academic reading and discussion about philosophy.